看起来 X，其实 Y
Reach for this when surface appearances are misleading and you want to flag the gap — 'looks like X, but actually Y.' 看起来 sets up what anyone would think at first glance; 其实 pulls back the curtain and tells the listener what's really going on. Use it for product surprises ('looks cheap, actually high quality'), people ('looks shy, actually outgoing'), and any situation where the obvious read is wrong.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 看起来 [SURFACE], 其实 [REALITY]
kàn qǐlái ..., qíshí ...
How to Think About It
看起来 is the visual estimate; 其实 is the inside knowledge. The structure exists to deliver a reveal — you're telling someone they've misjudged based on appearance. Both clauses describe the same subject, just from different vantage points (outside vs. inside). If you swap the subjects between the two clauses, the pattern breaks; the whole point is that one thing has two faces.
Examples
这道菜看起来简单, 其实很难做。
Zhè dào cài kàn qǐlái jiǎndān, qíshí hěn nán zuò.
This dish looks simple, but it's actually hard to make.
他看起来不爱说话, 其实很幽默。
Tā kàn qǐlái bú ài shuōhuà, qíshí hěn yōumò.
He looks like he doesn't like to talk, but he's actually really funny.
这本书看起来很厚, 其实读得很快。
Zhè běn shū kàn qǐlái hěn hòu, qíshí dú de hěn kuài.
This book looks really thick, but it actually reads quickly.
Common Mistake
Learners pair 看起来 with 但是 instead of 其实, treating it like a contrast pattern. 但是 just sets up opposition; 其实 carries the 'here's the real story' meaning. They land differently — 但是 is neutral contrast, 其实 is a reveal.
他看起来很严肃, 但是很友好。
他看起来很严肃, 其实很友好。
Don't Confuse With
X 听起来 ..., 其实 ...
Same shape but with 听起来 (sounds like) when the misleading input is auditory or verbal — names, ideas, descriptions you heard. Use 看起来 for visual or general impressions.
表面上 ..., 其实 ...
More formal / written. 表面上 = 'on the surface' as a deliberate analytical hedge. Use in commentary; 看起来 is the everyday spoken version.
虽然 ..., 但是 ...
Pure concession — 'although X, still Y.' Both halves are true. 看起来...其实... claims the first half is just an impression, not reality.
Practice
这个工作 ___ 容易, 其实压力很大。
Show answer
看起来
她看起来很冷, ___ 心很热。
Show answer
其实
Put in order: [看起来 / 其实 / 这家店 / 很贵 / 不贵]
Show answer
这家店看起来很贵, 其实不贵。
Translate to Chinese: 'This problem looks small, but it's actually very serious.'
Show answer
这个问题看起来很小, 其实很严重。
Write one sentence about a person, place, or thing whose surface fooled you, using 看起来 X, 其实 Y.
Show answer
Example answer: 这个城市看起来很安静, 其实晚上特别热闹。 (This city looks quiet, but it's actually really lively at night.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: