todellisesti

Todellisesti is a Finnish adverb meaning “in reality,” “really,” or “truly.” It is used to emphasize the truth, certainty, or sincerity of a statement and can appear in both written and spoken Finnish. The word can also function as an interjection to express surprise or skepticism, as in a reaction like “Todellisesti?!”

Etymology and related terms: todellisesti is formed from the adjective todellinen, meaning real or true, with the adverbial suffix -isesti. It is closely related to todellisuus, which means reality. The set of related terms revolves around truth, authenticity, and factuality in Finnish.

Usage and nuance: Todellisesti conveys a stronger emphasis than basic words like todellinen or aivan. It is common in formal or literary contexts, but also appears in conversational Finnish when a speaker wants to underline veracity or emphasis. In contrast to todellisuudessa (in reality), which locates a situation in reality, todellisesti emphasizes the speaker’s stance—how true something is. The word can also be used ironically or rhetorically, for example to question or challenge a claim.

Examples:

- Se on todellisesti mahdollista. (It is truly possible.)

- Todellisesti? (Really?)

- Hän todellisesti halusi auttaa. (He truly wanted to help.)

See also: todellisuus (reality), todellinen (real, true), todellisuudessa (in reality).