actual

Compared meaning: matching the facts; really existing (adjective).

比较义项：真实的，符合事实的（形容词）。

• true

  Describes statements, facts, or stories that match reality; typically used in the pattern 'it is true that...' or 'a true story'; the opposite of false.

  用来形容符合事实的陈述、事实或故事，常用于“it is true that...”或“a true story”这样的搭配；与“false（虚假的）”相对。

  It is true that she won first place in the contest.

  她在比赛中获得第一名，这是真的。

• actual 本词

  Describes the real, verified fact or figure as opposed to an estimate, plan, or belief; common right before nouns like cost, number, or reason.

  指经核实的真实数字或事实，而不是估计、计划或猜测的结果；常放在 cost（费用）、number（数字）、reason（原因）等名词前。

  The actual cost of the trip was higher than we expected.

  这次旅行的实际费用比我们预计的要高。

• real

  The broadest and most everyday word; describes people, things, or feelings that truly exist and are not fake, artificial, or imagined.

  是最常用、最口语化的词，形容真实存在、并非虚假、人造或想象出来的人、事物或感受。

  The flowers looked so real that I had to touch them to check.

  那些花看起来太逼真了，我不得不摸一摸才能确认。

• genuine

  Emphasizes authenticity and sincerity; used for emotions, relationships, or products that are not fake, counterfeit, or put on for show.

  强调真实性与真诚，用来形容并非虚假、假冒或做作的情感、关系或产品。

  Her smile was genuine when she saw her old friend.

  她见到老朋友时，笑容是真诚的。

True, actual, real and genuine all mean matching the facts. True: matches reality, opposite of false. Actual: the real, verified fact, not an estimate, often with cost or number. Real: the broadest word for what truly exists. Genuine: sincere and authentic, not fake or counterfeit.

这四个词在“符合事实、真实存在”这一义项上意思相近但语气和用法不同：true 侧重陈述或事实为真，actual 强调与估计、计划相对的确切事实，real 是最通用、最口语化的“真实（非人造、非想象）”，genuine 则强调真诚、非仿冒。这里不比较 true 表示“忠诚的”（如 a true friend）的用法，也不比较 real 作口语副词表示“非常”（如 real nice）的用法。