直言

zhíyán

verb/adverb #7,378

Meanings

1 to speak frankly; to speak bluntly
2 frank words; candid speech

Characters

straight; direct; frank

words; speech; to say

Literally 'straight speech' — saying things directly without sugarcoating.

Examples

直言不讳地说，你的方案有问题。

Zhíyánbùhuì de shuō, nǐ de fāng'àn yǒu wèntí.

To be perfectly frank, there are problems with your plan.

他喜欢直言，从不拐弯抹角。

Tā xǐhuan zhíyán, cóng bù guǎiwānmòjiǎo.

He likes to speak frankly and never beats around the bush.

请你直言相告。

Qǐng nǐ zhíyán xiānggào.

Please tell me frankly.

Tips

usage

直言不讳 (zhíyánbùhuì) is a common idiom meaning 'to speak frankly without reservation.' 直言 alone is more literary; in casual speech, 直说 (zhíshuō) is more common.

Stroke Order

直 zhí

言 yán