直言不讳

直言不諱

zhíyán-bùhuì

idiom #27,642

Meanings

1 to speak bluntly
2 to speak frankly without holding back
3 not to mince words

Characters

straight; direct; upright

speech; words; to speak

to avoid mentioning; taboo

Examples

HSK 4

我直言不讳地告诉他这个方案的缺点。

Wǒ zhíyán-bùhuì de gàosu tā zhè gè fāng'àn de quēdiǎn.

I told him bluntly about the flaws in this plan.

HSK 7-9

他向来直言不讳，从不说违心的话。

Tā xiànglái zhíyán-bùhuì, cóngbù shuō wéixīn de huà.

He has always spoken bluntly and never says things he doesn't mean.

Tips

usage

直言不讳 is typically a compliment in Chinese - it describes someone who is refreshingly honest and direct. 讳 means 'to avoid mentioning (something taboo),' so 不讳 means you don't shy away from saying it. Context can occasionally make it a mild criticism.

Stroke Order

直 zhí

言 yán

不 bù

讳 huì