率直な
When using 率直な (socchoku na), you're describing someone who speaks their mind openly, without hesitation or hidden motives. They tend to be very direct in their communication. This isn't about being rude, but rather about valuing honesty and clarity above all else.
For example, a 率直な person might tell you exactly what they think about a new idea, even if it's critical, because they believe it's helpful. It implies a certain integrity in their communication style. Think of it as being 'frank' or 'straightforward' in English – someone who doesn't beat around the bush.
§ Understanding 率直な (Sotchoku na)
Alright, let's break down 率直な (sotchoku na). This is a 'na-adjective' in Japanese, which means it behaves a certain way in sentences. It's used to describe someone or something as frank, straightforward, or direct. Think of it as being honest and open, without beating around the bush.
§ Using 率直な with Nouns
When you want to describe a noun using 率直な, you'll put な right after it and then the noun. It's pretty simple.
彼は率直な人です。
- Hint
- He is a frank person.
率直な意見を聞かせてください。
- Hint
- Please give me your frank opinion.
Notice how な (na) connects 率直 (sotchoku) to the nouns 人 (hito - person) and 意見 (iken - opinion). This is standard for 'na-adjectives'.
§ Using 率直な at the End of a Sentence
When 率直な is at the end of a sentence, describing the subject, you'll use です (desu) or だ (da) after it. です is more polite, だ is more casual.
彼女はいつも率直です。
- Hint
- She is always frank.
彼の話は率直だ。
- Hint
- His story is straightforward.
§ Using 率直に (Sotchoku ni) as an Adverb
You can also use 率直な to describe how an action is performed. When you do this, it becomes 率直に (sotchoku ni) – similar to how 'na-adjectives' change to 'ni' to function as adverbs.
率直に言って、それは難しい問題だ。
- Hint
- Frankly speaking, that is a difficult problem.
彼は自分の気持ちを率直に表現した。
- Hint
- He expressed his feelings directly.
§ Common Phrases with 率直な
Here are a few common phrases where you'll encounter 率直な. These are good to remember for practical use.
率直な意見 (sotchoku na iken): Frank opinion
あなたの率直な意見が聞きたい。
- Hint
- I want to hear your frank opinion.
率直な人 (sotchoku na hito): Frank person
彼は本当に率直な人だ。
- Hint
- He is truly a frank person.
率直に言うと (sotchoku ni iu to): Frankly speaking / To be frank
率直に言うと、あまり好きじゃない。
- Hint
- Frankly speaking, I don't like it much.
Understanding how to use 率直な in these different grammatical contexts will make your Japanese sound much more natural. Keep practicing these patterns, and you'll get the hang of it!
Exemples par niveau
彼は率直な意見を述べた。
He gave a frank opinion.
率直に言って、あなたの計画は少し現実離れしていると思います。
Frankly speaking, I think your plan is a bit unrealistic.
彼女は率直な人なので、思ったことをすぐに口にする。
She's a straightforward person, so she says what she thinks immediately.
率直な議論を通して、私たちはより良い解決策を見つけた。
Through a frank discussion, we found a better solution.
彼の率直な態度は時に人を傷つけることがある。
His direct attitude can sometimes hurt people.
私は率直なフィードバックを求めている。
I'm looking for frank feedback.
率直なアドバイスに感謝します。
Thank you for the frank advice.
彼は率直に自分の過ちを認めた。
He frankly admitted his mistakes.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
率直に言って、その計画は難しいと思います。
Frankly speaking, I think that plan is difficult.
彼はいつも率直な意見を言ってくれる。
He always gives me his frank opinion.
率直な人なので、すぐに本音を話す。
Because he is a frank person, he quickly speaks his true feelings.
彼女は率直な態度で質問に答えた。
She answered the question with a frank attitude.
率直な返事を期待しています。
I am expecting a frank answer.
率直な気持ちを伝えるのは大切だ。
It is important to convey one's frank feelings.
彼の率直な言葉に感動した。
I was moved by his frank words.
率直な表現で意見を述べた。
He stated his opinion with a frank expression.
率直なコメントをありがとう。
Thank you for your frank comment.
率直な議論が必要だ。
A frank discussion is necessary.
Souvent confondu avec
While both imply honesty, 素直 emphasizes docility or readiness to accept, whereas 率直な is purely about frank expression.
正直 means truthful/honest in a moral sense, while 率直な is about the directness and openness of expressing one's thoughts and feelings.
直接 means direct in a physical or causal sense (without intermediaries), whereas 率直な describes the frankness of a person's communication style.
Facile à confondre
Both 素直 and 率直な describe someone who is honest and doesn't hide their feelings. The confusion often arises because they can seem interchangeable in some contexts.
素直 (すなお) implies being obedient, docile, or amenable. It suggests someone who readily accepts advice or admits their mistakes without being stubborn. While they are honest, their honesty is often paired with a lack of resistance or a gentle nature. 率直な (そっちょくな) focuses purely on being frank and direct in expressing one's thoughts, regardless of whether it's positive or negative, or whether they are agreeable.
彼女はいつも素直に謝る。(Kanojo wa itsumo sunao ni ayayaru.) She always apologizes meekly/docilely.
正直 (しょうじき) also means honest, and like 率直な (そっちょくな), it describes someone who doesn't lie or deceive. The overlap can make it difficult to choose between them.
正直 (しょうじき) primarily means truthful, not telling lies, and having integrity. It's about being morally upright in terms of truthfulness. 率直な (そっちょくな) is about the manner of expression – being direct and open with one's thoughts and feelings, even if those thoughts are critical or uncomfortable. Someone can be 正直 (しょうじき) without being 率直な (そっちょくな) (e.g., they might be truthful but reserved), and someone can be 率直な (そっちょくな) without necessarily being focused on moral truth (e.g., they might just be expressing an opinion very directly).
正直に言うと、この映画は面白くなかった。(Shoujiki ni iu to, kono eiga wa omoshirokunakatta.) To be honest, this movie wasn't interesting.
直接 (ちょくせつ) means direct, and in English, 'direct' can be used to describe a person's manner of speaking. This makes it seem similar to 率直な (そっちょくな).
直接 (ちょくせつ) primarily refers to physical or causal directness – without intermediaries, literally or figuratively. For example, 'direct contact' or 'direct communication'. While it can describe a direct manner of speaking, it's more about the lack of circumlocution or going straight to the point in a literal sense. 率直な (そっちょくな) is specifically about the *frankness* and *openness* of expression, often related to feelings or opinions. You wouldn't use 率直な (そっちょくな) to describe a direct flight, but you would use 直接 (ちょくせつ).
彼に直接会って話した。(Kare ni chokusetsu atte hanashita.) I met him directly and talked.
はっきり (hakkiri) means clearly or distinctly, and when someone speaks clearly, they are often also speaking directly. This can lead to confusion with 率直な (そっちょくな).
はっきり (hakkiri) focuses on clarity and distinctness in communication or perception. It means to express something in an unambiguous, easy-to-understand way. 率直な (そっちょくな) emphasizes the forthrightness and openness of the speaker's feelings or opinions. While speaking 率直に (sotchoku ni) often involves speaking はっきり (hakkiri), the core meaning is different. Someone can speak はっきり (hakkiri) without being particularly 率直な (そっちょくな) if they are just explaining facts clearly.
彼の意見ははっきりしている。(Kare no iken wa hakkiri shiteiru.) His opinion is clear.
This katakana word is a direct loanword from English 'straight' and is often used in Japanese to mean direct, especially in communication. This makes it very similar to 率直な (そっちょくな).
ストレートな (sutorēto na) directly refers to being 'straightforward' or 'direct' in a manner that comes directly from the English word. It carries a similar nuance to 率直な (そっちょくな) regarding communication style. However, 率直な (そっちょくな) is a native Japanese word with a slightly more nuanced focus on genuine, unreserved expression of one's inner thoughts and feelings. ストレートな (sutorēto na) can sometimes feel a bit more colloquial or casual, and it can also refer to physical straightness (e.g., ストレートヘア - straight hair), which 率直な (そっちょくな) cannot.
彼はいつもストレートに物を言う。(Kare wa itsumo sutorēto ni mono o iu.) He always says things straight/directly.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
To remember 率直な (sotchoku na), imagine a 'sot' (like soot) that is 'choku' (choke) on something because it is being too 'frank' and 'direct.'
Association visuelle
Picture a person speaking their mind very clearly, with a straight, 'choku' (straight) line emanating from their mouth, representing their 'sotchoku na' frankness.
Word Web
Défi
Try to describe a situation where someone was 率直な. For example, あなたの意見はいつも率直ですね (Anata no iken wa itsumo sotchoku desu ne - Your opinions are always frank/direct, aren't they?). Now, try to use 率直な in your own sentence describing a person or an opinion.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThe Japanese word for 'frank,' 'straightforward,' or 'direct' is 率直な (sotchoku na). It's an adjective you can use to describe a person's character or their way of speaking.
Certainly! Here's an example:
彼は率直な意見を言った。
Kare wa sotchoku na iken o itta.
(He gave a frank opinion.)
Yes, 率直な is a fairly common and useful word in everyday Japanese conversations, especially when discussing someone's personality or communication style. It's not overly formal or informal.
Generally, 率直な has a positive or neutral nuance, implying honesty and clarity. It describes someone who speaks their mind without hesitation or pretense. While usually positive, in some contexts, being 'too direct' might be seen as lacking subtlety, but the word itself doesn't carry a negative connotation.
Yes, there are a few similar words, but they have slight differences. For example, 正直な (shōjiki na) means 'honest,' which is close. 直接的な (chokusetsuteki na) means 'direct' in a more literal sense, like a direct route or direct method. 率直な focuses more on the straightforwardness of a person or their statement.
Since 率直な is a 'na-adjective,' you attach な (na) directly to the noun it modifies.
Example: 率直な人 (sotchoku na hito - a frank person)
Yes, you absolutely can! By changing な (na) to に (ni), it becomes an adverb.
Example: 彼は率直に話した。
Kare wa sotchoku ni hanashita.
(He spoke frankly.)
The kanji are:
率 (sotsu/ritsu): This kanji can mean 'rate,' 'proportion,' or 'to lead.' In this context, it contributes to the idea of being 'straight' or 'direct.'
直 (choku): This kanji means 'straight,' 'direct,' or 'honest.' It's the core meaning of directness here.
Together, they combine to form the meaning of 'frank' or 'straightforward.'
率直な can be used in both formal and informal situations. It's a standard adjective that fits well in various contexts without sounding overly stiff or overly casual. It's a good all-around word to know.
You could say:
率直に言ってください。
Sotchoku ni itte kudasai.
(Please speak frankly.)
Or if you want to say 'Please give me your frank opinion':
率直な意見をください。
Sotchoku na iken o kudasai.
(Please give me your frank opinion.)
Teste-toi 18 questions
Write a short sentence describing a straightforward person you know. Use simple Japanese words.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼/彼女はまっすぐな人です。
Translate the following into simple Japanese: "She is a direct person."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼女はまっすぐな人です。
Write a sentence in Japanese about someone who speaks honestly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼は正直に話します。
田中さんはどんな人ですか？
Read this passage:
田中さんはいつもはっきりと話します。だから、みんな彼の言葉を信じます。
田中さんはどんな人ですか？
文章から、田中さんがいつもはっきりと話すことがわかります。
文章から、田中さんがいつもはっきりと話すことがわかります。
筆者はどんな人が好きですか？
Read this passage:
私は正直な人が好きです。その人は隠し事をしません。
筆者はどんな人が好きですか？
文章の冒頭で「私は正直な人が好きです」と書かれています。
文章の冒頭で「私は正直な人が好きです」と書かれています。
山田さんは何をはっきり言いますか？
Read this passage:
山田さんはいつも自分の意見をはっきり言います。彼はとても正直です。
山田さんは何をはっきり言いますか？
文章から、山田さんがいつも自分の意見をはっきり言うことがわかります。
文章から、山田さんがいつも自分の意見をはっきり言うことがわかります。
Imagine you had a disagreement with a friend. Write a short message (2-3 sentences) explaining how you expressed your feelings frankly but politely. Use 率直な.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
友達と意見が合わなかったとき、自分の気持ちを率直に伝えました。でも、相手を傷つけないように言葉を選び、丁寧に話すことを心がけました。
You are giving feedback to a colleague about a project. Write one sentence using 率直な to describe the kind of feedback you will give.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このプロジェクトの改善点について、率直な意見をフィードバックさせていただきます。
Describe a situation where being '率直な' might be difficult but necessary. (2-3 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上司にプロジェクトの失敗について報告するときは、率直な態度で話すのが難しいかもしれません。しかし、問題を解決するためには、正直に状況を説明する必要があります。
山田さんの発言はどのようなものでしたか？
Read this passage:
A: 山田さん、昨日の会議での発言、とても率直で感銘を受けました。B: そうですか。私も少し言いすぎたかなと思ったのですが、本音を伝えることが大切だと思いまして。A: いいえ、私もあなたの率直な意見が聞けてよかったです。おかげで問題点が明確になりました。
山田さんの発言はどのようなものでしたか？
Aが「とても率直で感銘を受けました」と言っていることから、山田さんの発言は率直で直接的だったことが分かります。
Aが「とても率直で感銘を受けました」と言っていることから、山田さんの発言は率直で直接的だったことが分かります。
この文章から、会社がお客様に何を求めていると理解できますか？
Read this passage:
私たちは、お客様からの率直なご意見を真摯に受け止め、サービスの改善に努めております。どんな小さなことでも構いませんので、忌憚のないご意見をお聞かせください。
この文章から、会社がお客様に何を求めていると理解できますか？
「率直なご意見を真摯に受け止め」「忌憚のないご意見をお聞かせください」という表現から、会社が正直で直接的な意見を求めていることが分かります。
「率直なご意見を真摯に受け止め」「忌憚のないご意見をお聞かせください」という表現から、会社が正直で直接的な意見を求めていることが分かります。
田中さんの率直な性格が周囲にどのような影響を与えていますか？
Read this passage:
田中さんはいつも率直な人なので、彼の言葉には信頼性があります。たとえ耳の痛いことであっても、彼が言うことは真実だと感じられます。そのため、周りの人は彼の意見を尊重しています。
田中さんの率直な性格が周囲にどのような影響を与えていますか？
「彼の言葉には信頼性があります」「周りの人は彼の意見を尊重しています」と書かれているため、これが正しい選択肢です。
「彼の言葉には信頼性があります」「周りの人は彼の意見を尊重しています」と書かれているため、これが正しい選択肢です。
彼の意見はいつも___だ。 （かれ の いけん は いつも ___ だ。）
文脈から、意見が「いつも直接的である」ことを表すため、「率直な」が適切です。
彼女は___に自分の気持ちを伝えた。（かのじょ は ___ に じぶん の きもち を つたえた。）
「自分の気持ちを直接的に伝えた」という意味になるため、「率直に」が適切です。
___な意見を聞かせてください。（___ な いけん を きかせて ください。）
ここでは「直接的で飾らない意見」を求めているので、「率直な」が適切です。
彼の___な質問に、みんなが驚いた。（かれ の ___ な しつもん に、みんな が おどろいた。）
「直接的な質問」という意味が合うため、「率直な」が適切です。
___なフィードバックは、成長に不可欠です。（___ な フィードバック は、せいちょう に ふかけつ です。）
「直接的な意見」としてのフィードバックが成長に重要である、という意味合いから「率直な」が適切です。
私は___な人の方が好きです。（わたし は ___ な ひと の ほう が すき です。）
「直接的に話す人」という意味で、「率直な」が適切です。
/ 18 correct
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