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直言

zhíyán
verb #7,378

Meanings

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

Characters

直
zhí
straight; direct; frank
言
yán
words; speech; to say
Literally 'straight speech' - saying things directly without sugarcoating.

Examples

HSK 7-9
直言不讳地说，你的方案有问题。
Zhíyán-bùhuì de shuō, nǐ de fāng'àn yǒu wèntí.
To be perfectly frank, there are problems with your plan.
HSK 7-9
他喜欢直言，从不拐弯抹角。
Tā xǐhuan zhíyán, cóngbù guǎiwān-mòjiǎo.
He likes to speak frankly and never beats around the bush.
HSK 7-9
请你直言相告。
Qǐng nǐ zhíyán xiānggào.
Please tell me frankly.

Tips

usage
直言不讳 (zhíyán-bùhuì) 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