Atualmente vs. realmente
The Portuguese words atualmente and realmente are classic false friends for English speakers. While they sound similar to English words, their meanings are quite distinct and they are not interchangeable.
Atualmente
A2The word atualmente refers to time and means currently, nowadays, or at the present time. It describes what is happening now or in the current period, and is a false friend of the English word actually.
Atualmente, ele mora em Lisboa.
(Currently, he lives in Lisbon.)
Quais são as tendências da moda atualmente?
(What are the fashion trends nowadays?)
Atualmente, estou trabalhando em um novo projeto.
(At the present time, I am working on a new project.)
A tecnologia que usamos atualmente era impensável há 20 anos.
(The technology we use currently was unthinkable 20 years ago.)
Ela não está mais na empresa, atualmente ela tem o seu próprio negócio.
(She is no longer with the company, nowadays she has her own business.)
Realmente
A2The word realmente is used to confirm, emphasize, or express surprise about something being true or a fact. It translates to really, actually, or in fact.
Você realmente acredita nisso?
(Do you really believe that?)
Eu pensei que o filme seria chato, mas foi realmente bom.
(I thought the movie would be boring, but it was actually good.)
Ele disse que viria, mas realmente não apareceu.
(He said he would come, but in fact, he didn't show up.)
Isto é realmente o que você quer fazer?
(Is this really what you want to do?)
Ninguém sabe o que realmente aconteceu naquela noite.
(Nobody knows what actually happened that night.)
Summary
In summary, use atualmente when talking about time (currently, nowadays). Use realmente when talking about truth or reality (really, actually, in fact). A simple rule is: atualmente answers when?, while realmente confirms is it true?.