实话实说

實話實說

shíhuà-shíshuō

idiom HSK 7-9 #5,310

Meanings

1 to tell the truth
2 to speak frankly
3 to call a spade a spade

Characters

Literally 'true words, truly speak' - tell it like it is

Examples

HSK 4

实话实说，这个项目的进展不太理想。

Shíhuàshíshuō, zhège xiàngmù de jìnzhǎn bútài lǐxiǎng.

To be frank, the progress of this project is not ideal.

HSK 7-9

你就实话实说吧，别拐弯抹角了。

Nǐ jiù shíhuàshíshuō ba, bié guǎiwānmòjiǎo le.

Just tell the truth and stop beating around the bush.

Tips

usage

实话实说 is more emphatic than 说实话. It often implies a demand for honesty or a declaration that one is being completely candid. Can be used as a verb phrase (你就实话实说) or as a sentence opener.

culture

实话实说 was also the name of a famous CCTV talk show (1996 - 2009) hosted by 崔永元, known for its candid style.

Stroke Order

实 shí

话 huà

说 shuō