说是…，其实…
supposedly …, but really …: passes on a claim, then the truth
Structure
说是 对外的说法 ， 其实／实际上 真实情况
What it means
'Supposedly …, but really …': passes on what someone claims without vouching for it, then gives what is really going on.
How it is built
说是 + the claimed version，其实／实际上 + the truth: 他说是来帮忙的，其实是来蹭饭的 (he supposedly came to help; really he came for a free meal).
When to use it
Spoken; the natural frame for unpacking a euphemism: 公司说是“优化”，其实就是裁员. 结果 can bring in the truth instead. On its own 说是 passes on hearsay: 说是明天要下雨.
Watch out
Don't read it as 说 + 是 'said yes' (他说是 can mean exactly that). Here 说是 distances you from the claim, so don't use it for your own honest statement.
Examples
公司说是“优化”，其实就是裁员。
The company calls it “optimising”; really it is lay-offs.
他说是来帮忙的，其实是来蹭饭的。
He supposedly came to help; really he came for a free meal.
Learn this in Lesson 111 · HSK 7–9: 绕着说 (Talking around it online)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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