When someone is 正直 (shoujiki), it means they are honest and tell the truth. You can use it to describe a person who doesn't lie or try to deceive others. For example, if your friend tells you exactly what they think, even if it's difficult to hear, they are being 正直.
It also means being frank or straightforward. So, if you ask for an opinion and someone gives you a very direct answer, that's being 正直. It’s a good quality to have!
When you're learning Japanese, you'll find that words often have multiple nuances depending on context. The word 正直 (shōjiki) is a good example. At its core, it means 'honest' or 'frank.'
You can use it to describe a person who tells the truth, like 「正直な人」 (shōjiki na hito - an honest person). It can also describe an action or statement that is truthful and direct. For instance, if you want to say 'to speak frankly,' you'd use 「正直に言う」 (shōjiki ni iu).
It's a versatile adjective that's important for expressing sincerity and truthfulness in everyday conversation.
Beispiele nach Niveau
正直なところ、彼の意見には賛成できません。
To be honest, I can't agree with his opinion.
彼女はいつも正直で、思ったことをはっきり言う。
She is always honest and speaks her mind clearly.
正直に話してくれたら、私も協力します。
If you speak honestly, I will cooperate too.
正直な気持ちを伝えたかっただけです。
I just wanted to convey my honest feelings.
正直、この仕事は私には荷が重すぎる。
Honestly, this job is too much for me.
子供は正直なので、嘘はつけません。
Children are honest, so they can't lie.
彼の正直な性格が皆に好かれている。
His honest personality is liked by everyone.
正直なところ、もう一度考え直したい。
To be honest, I want to reconsider it once more.
正直なところ、この仕事は私には荷が重すぎます。
Honestly, this job is too much for me.
彼の正直な意見を聞かせてほしい。
I want to hear his frank opinion.
正直に言うと、あまり乗り気ではありませんでした。
To be honest, I wasn't very enthusiastic.
正直な人柄が、皆から信頼される理由です。
His honest character is why everyone trusts him.
正直、もう少し時間が欲しかったです。
To be honest, I wanted a little more time.
彼女はいつも正直で、嘘をつきません。
She is always honest and doesn't lie.
正直な気持ちを伝えるのは難しいことです。
It's difficult to convey one's true feelings.
正直に話せば、彼も理解してくれるだろう。
If you speak frankly, he'll probably understand.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
While '嘘' means 'lie,' '正直' (honest) is its antonym, not a direct synonym. Confusion arises when learners try to connect the concepts of truth and honesty.
'本当' means 'true' or 'reality.' While an honest person (正直な人) often speaks the truth (本当のこと), '本当' refers to the truth itself, whereas '正直' refers to the characteristic of being honest.
'真実' means 'truth' or 'fact,' often implying a deeper, absolute truth. '正直' (honest) describes a person's character, not a factual statement itself. An honest person might reveal a '真実'.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"正直なところ"
To be honest; frankly speaking
正直なところ、この映画はあまり面白くなかった。
neutral"正直に言うと"
To tell you the truth; honestly speaking
正直に言うと、宿題を忘れました。
neutral"正直な話"
To be frank; candidly speaking
正直な話、彼の提案には賛成できません。
neutral"正直な人"
An honest person
彼女はとても正直な人です。
neutral"正直者が馬鹿を見る"
An honest person is often taken advantage of; honesty doesn't pay
正直者が馬鹿を見るような世の中は嫌だ。
neutral"正直な気持ち"
True feelings; honest feelings
正直な気持ちを伝えてください。
neutral"正直に答える"
To answer honestly
質問には正直に答えてください。
neutral"正直に生きる"
To live honestly
彼はいつも正直に生きている。
neutral"正直に言うね"
I'll be honest with you (informal)
正直に言うね、ちょっと疲れてるんだ。
informal"正直な商売"
An honest business
正直な商売をすることが大切です。
neutralLeicht verwechselbar
Many English speakers confuse '正直' with simply 'truthful.' While related, '正直' emphasizes the characteristic of being honest and forthright, rather than just stating facts. It's about a person's disposition.
'正直' describes someone who is honest and frank in their nature and actions. It's often used when talking about a person's character. For example, a '正直な人' (shoujiki na hito) is an honest person. It can also be used as an adverb to mean 'to be honest' or 'frankly speaking.'
正直な意見を教えてください。(Shoujiki na iken o oshiete kudasai.) - Please tell me your honest opinion.
This is often incorrectly used when someone wants to say 'liar.' While '嘘つき' does mean liar, it's a stronger and more direct accusation than some might intend. It implies a habitual tendency to lie.
'嘘つき' refers to a person who habitually lies, a 'liar.' It's a noun describing a person. If you want to say 'you are lying' in a less accusatory way, you might use '嘘をついている' (uso o tsuite iru).
彼は嘘つきだ。(Kare wa usotsuki da.) - He is a liar.
Learners sometimes confuse '本音' with '正直' because both relate to expressing what one truly thinks or feels. However, '本音' specifically refers to one's true feelings or intentions, which might be hidden or not openly expressed.
'本音' is a noun meaning one's 'true feelings' or 'real intention,' often contrasted with '建前' (tatemae - outward appearance/facade). While '正直' describes the quality of being honest, '本音' refers to the honest content itself.
彼女は本音を話した。(Kanojo wa hon'ne o hanashita.) - She spoke her true feelings.
Like '正直', '誠実' also means honest, but it carries a nuance of sincerity, faithfulness, and integrity that '正直' doesn't always convey as strongly.
'誠実' describes someone who is sincere, faithful, and has integrity. It emphasizes reliability and trustworthiness in a person's character and actions, often in a more formal or profound sense than '正直'.
彼は誠実な人だ。(Kare wa seijitsu na hito da.) - He is a sincere/faithful person.
This phrase can be confusing because it literally means 'if I speak honestly,' but it functions as an idiomatic expression similar to 'to be honest' or 'frankly speaking' in English, often introducing a candid statement.
This is a common adverbial phrase used to introduce a statement that might be a bit blunt, unpopular, or reveal one's true thoughts. It's a polite way to preface an honest opinion.
正直に言うと、それはあまり好きじゃない。(Shoujiki ni iu to, sore wa amari suki janai.) - To be honest, I don't really like that.
Tipps
Basic Meaning of 正直
正直 (shoujiki) means honest or frank. It's often used to describe someone's character or a straightforward way of speaking.
Using 正直 as an Adjective
It can be used directly before a noun, like 正直な人 (shoujiki na hito), meaning an honest person. Remember the な particle for adjectives ending in き like this.
Using 正直 as an Adverb
You can also use 正直に (shoujiki ni) as an adverb, meaning honestly or frankly. For example, 正直に言うと (shoujiki ni iu to), means frankly speaking.
Common Phrase: 正直言って
A very common phrase is 正直言って (shoujiki itte), which means to be honest or honestly speaking. It's a useful way to introduce a frank opinion.
Don't Confuse with True
While 正直 implies truthfulness, it's not the same as saying something is true (真実 - shinjitsu). 正直 focuses on the person's character or manner of speaking.
Context Matters for 正直
The nuance can shift slightly with context. It can mean sincere, upright, or even simple-minded depending on the situation.
Honesty in Japanese Culture
Being 正直 is generally valued in Japanese society, though direct frankness can sometimes be softened for politeness or harmony. It's about being genuine.
Example: 正直な気持ち
正直な気持ち (shoujiki na kimochi) means honest feelings. This is a common way to express one's true emotions.
Example: 正直に答える
正直に答える (shoujiki ni kotaeru) means to answer honestly. Useful when you want someone to be direct with you.
Related Words: 誠実 (seijitsu)
While similar, 誠実 (seijitsu) emphasizes sincerity and integrity, often implying a deeper moral character than 正直, which can be more about directness.
Teste dich selbst 30 Fragen
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼はいつも___です。
The sentence means 'He is always...' and '正直' (shoujiki) means honest, which fits the context.
Which word means 'honest'?
正直 (shoujiki) directly translates to honest or frank.
If someone is always telling the truth, they are ___.
Someone who always tells the truth is honest, which is 正直 (shoujiki).
The word 正直 means 'dishonest'.
正直 (shoujiki) means 'honest', not 'dishonest'.
When you want to say someone is frank, you can use 正直。
正直 (shoujiki) can mean both 'honest' and 'frank'.
正直 is a verb.
正直 (shoujiki) is typically used as an adjective (na-adjective) or an adverb, not a verb.
Listen to the word for 'honest'.
Listen for the instruction to 'speak honestly'.
Listen for 'she is always honest'.
Read this aloud:
正直に
Focus: しょうじきに
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
彼は正直な人です。
Focus: かれはしょうじきなひとです。
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
正直に話してください。
Focus: しょうじきにはなしてください。
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence saying 'I am honest.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は正直です。
Write a sentence saying 'He is a very honest person.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼はとても正直な人です。
Write a sentence saying 'Please be honest.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
正直に話してください。
What does B say about themselves?
Read this passage:
A: あなたは正直ですか？ B: はい、私は正直です。
What does B say about themselves?
B says 'はい、私は正直です。' which means 'Yes, I am honest.'
B says 'はい、私は正直です。' which means 'Yes, I am honest.'
What kind of things does 'he' always say?
Read this passage:
彼はいつも正直なことを言います。
What kind of things does 'he' always say?
正直なこと means 'honest things'.
正直なこと means 'honest things'.
What is the speaker asking someone to do honestly?
Read this passage:
正直に答えてください。
What is the speaker asking someone to do honestly?
答えてください means 'please answer'.
答えてください means 'please answer'.
This sentence means 'He is always honest.' The particle 'は' marks the topic, 'いつも' means always, and '正直です' means 'is honest.'
This means 'Please let me hear your honest opinion.' '正直な' modifies '意見' (opinion), and '聞かせてください' is a polite request to hear.
This sentence means 'She spoke honestly.' '正直に' is the adverbial form of '正直' and modifies the verb '話しました' (spoke).
This sentence means 'He is an honest person.' The adjective 正直な (shoujiki na) modifies the noun 人 (hito).
This sentence means 'Please tell me honestly.' 正直に (shoujiki ni) is the adverbial form of 正直 (shoujiki) and modifies the verb 言ってください (itte kudasai - please say).
This sentence means 'She honestly expressed her opinion.' 自分の意見を (jibun no iken o) means 'her own opinion,' and 言った (itta) is the past tense of 'to say.'
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 正直
正直 (shoujiki) means honest or frank. It's often used to describe someone's character or a straightforward way of speaking.
Using 正直 as an Adjective
It can be used directly before a noun, like 正直な人 (shoujiki na hito), meaning an honest person. Remember the な particle for adjectives ending in き like this.
Using 正直 as an Adverb
You can also use 正直に (shoujiki ni) as an adverb, meaning honestly or frankly. For example, 正直に言うと (shoujiki ni iu to), means frankly speaking.
Common Phrase: 正直言って
A very common phrase is 正直言って (shoujiki itte), which means to be honest or honestly speaking. It's a useful way to introduce a frank opinion.
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr general Wörter
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
