How to Say ‘Honestly’ in Japanese
正直
shoujiki
[show-jee-kee]
💬 Usage Tip: 正直 (shōjiki) can open a sentence by itself, like "honestly," with no に after it in casual speech.
Phrase Breakdown
正直
shoujiki
[show-jee-kee]
honest; frank; straightforward
Describes speaking truthfully, sometimes bluntly. Great for relationship talks: 正直に言うと…, 正直な気持ち.
正直に言うと、まだ少し不安。
To be honest, I’m still a little anxious.
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