How to Say ‘Honest; honesty’ in Japanese
正直
shoujiki
[show-jee-kee]
💬 Usage Tip: [正直] means “honest/frank.” Common: [正直に言うと] (“Honestly speaking,”). It can soften hard truths by framing them as sincerity.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese communication often avoids bluntness, so saying [正直に] signals you’re switching to a more direct “real talk” mode—use it kindly.
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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