Meaning and Usage
"真相" (しんそう) refers to the actual truth or real situation behind an event or story. It is often used in contexts involving investigations, mysteries, or uncovering facts.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "真相" in news reports, detective stories, or discussions about scandals where the real facts are not yet clear.
Collocations and Patterns
- 真相を明らかにする: to clarify or reveal the truth
- 真相を追求する: to pursue or seek the truth
- 真相は〜だ: the truth is ~ (used to state or speculate about the real situation)
Register and Nuance
"真相" is a formal word, often used in written language, journalism, or serious conversations. It implies a deeper or hidden truth rather than surface-level facts.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "真相" with "事実" (じじつ), which means "fact." While "事実" refers to facts that are known or observable, "真相" emphasizes the underlying truth that may be hidden or unknown. Use "真相" when you want to highlight uncovering or revealing the real situation.