‘Xìn shǐ’ literally combines ‘xìn’ (trust, reliability) and ‘shǐ’ (history, record), meaning ‘reliable history’—historical accounts supported by credible evidence such as archaeological findings, contemporary documents, or cross-verified sources. Unlike legendary or mythological narratives, xìn shǐ refers to periods and events that historians can substantiate with verifiable data.

This term is commonly used in academic, cultural, and educational contexts when distinguishing well-documented eras (e.g., the Shang Dynasty, supported by oracle bone inscriptions) from earlier, less-attested periods like the Xia Dynasty. It carries a formal, scholarly register and often appears in discussions about historiography, museum exhibitions, or textbook prefaces emphasizing factual rigor.