15초 만에
- Used to introduce an honest confession or a personal secret.
- Creates a sense of trust and intimacy between speakers.
- Perfect for moving past small talk into deeper conversation.
뜻
This phrase is used when you are about to share a secret, a personal opinion, or an honest truth that you've been holding back. It creates an immediate sense of intimacy and trust between you and the person you are talking to.
주요 예문
3 / 6Admitting a lack of skill
不瞒你说，我其实一点儿也不会做饭。
To tell you the truth, I actually don't know how to cook at all.
Confessing a secret to a friend
不瞒你说，我打算辞职了。
To tell you the truth, I'm planning to quit my job.
Explaining a delay to a client
不瞒您说，这个项目我们遇到了点技术困难。
To tell you the truth, we've run into some technical difficulties with this project.
문화적 배경
In a culture where directness can sometimes be seen as rude, this phrase serves as a 'politeness buffer.' It allows the speaker to be honest without breaking social harmony. It suggests a level of 'Guanxi' (relationship) where secrets can be shared safely.
The 'Nǐ' vs 'Nín' Switch
If you're talking to a boss or elder, change it to `不瞒您说` (bù mán nín shuō). It keeps the sincerity but adds a layer of respect.
Don't Overuse It
If you start every sentence with this, people might start wondering why you were 'hiding' so much in the first place! Save it for things that actually matter.
15초 만에
- Used to introduce an honest confession or a personal secret.
- Creates a sense of trust and intimacy between speakers.
- Perfect for moving past small talk into deeper conversation.
What It Means
不瞒你说 (bù mán nǐ shuō) is your go-to phrase for being vulnerable or brutally honest. It literally means "not hiding it from you." Think of it as the verbal equivalent of leaning in and lowering your voice. You are signaling that you are dropping the polite act. You are giving the other person the "real" version of the story.
How To Use It
Place it right at the start of your sentence. It acts as a conversational bridge. Use it when you’re about to admit a weakness or a surprising fact. For example, if someone asks how your diet is going, you might say, 不瞒你说，我昨天吃了三块蛋糕 (To tell you the truth, I ate three pieces of cake yesterday). It softens the blow of a confession. It also makes your listener feel special because you are choosing to be honest with *them* specifically.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to build rapport. It works great in social settings like coffee dates or dinners. It’s perfect for admitting you don't know something. You can also use it in business when you want to show sincerity. If a client asks for a deadline you can't meet, starting with 不瞒你说 makes your explanation feel more like a favor than an excuse. It turns a transaction into a human connection.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for trivial, everyday facts. Don't say "To tell you the truth, the sky is blue." That just sounds weird. Also, be careful in very hierarchical formal settings. If you are talking to a high-ranking official you've never met, being *too* honest might come off as unprofessional. Don't use it if you are actually trying to hide something—ironically, this phrase makes people pay closer attention to what you say next!
Cultural Background
Chinese culture often emphasizes "saving face" and maintaining a polite exterior. Because of this, 不瞒你说 is a powerful social tool. It’s a way to step outside of the "polite script." By using it, you are telling the listener, "I trust you enough to show you what's behind the curtain." It’s deeply rooted in the value of 诚 (chéng) or sincerity. It’s the sound of a friendship moving to the next level.
Common Variations
If you want to sound even more casual, you can say 说实话 (shuō shí huà), which means "to speak the truth." If you are feeling extra formal or dramatic, you might hear 坦白说 (tǎn bái shuō), which is closer to "to be perfectly frank" or "to confess." But 不瞒你说 hits that perfect sweet spot. It’s warm, slightly traditional, and very effective at making people listen.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is incredibly versatile, sitting comfortably between casual and formal. Just remember to swap 'nǐ' for 'nín' when speaking to superiors to maintain the proper level of respect.
The 'Nǐ' vs 'Nín' Switch
If you're talking to a boss or elder, change it to `不瞒您说` (bù mán nín shuō). It keeps the sincerity but adds a layer of respect.
Don't Overuse It
If you start every sentence with this, people might start wondering why you were 'hiding' so much in the first place! Save it for things that actually matter.
Building 'Guanxi'
In China, sharing a small personal 'truth' using this phrase is a classic way to build a relationship. It signals that you don't see the other person as a stranger.
예시
6不瞒你说，我其实一点儿也不会做饭。
To tell you the truth, I actually don't know how to cook at all.
Uses the phrase to admit a personal shortcoming in a friendly way.
不瞒你说，我打算辞职了。
To tell you the truth, I'm planning to quit my job.
Introduces a major life decision that hasn't been made public yet.
不瞒您说，这个项目我们遇到了点技术困难。
To tell you the truth, we've run into some technical difficulties with this project.
The speaker uses the polite '您' (nín) to maintain professionalism while being honest.
不瞒你说，那部电影我看睡着了。
To tell you the truth, I fell asleep during that movie.
A lighthearted confession about a shared experience.
不瞒你说，我以前特别不喜欢他的歌。
To tell you the truth, I used to really dislike his songs.
Sharing a change of heart or a controversial opinion.
不瞒你说，我现在的压力真的很大。
To tell you the truth, I'm under a lot of pressure right now.
Opening up about personal struggles to seek support.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best phrase to start this honest confession about your Chinese level.
___，我的中文还没那么好。
The speaker is admitting their Chinese isn't great yet, so 'To tell you the truth' is the perfect opening.
Which phrase fits best when you are about to tell a friend you forgot their birthday?
___，我完全忘了今天是你的生日。
This phrase sets the stage for a sincere apology and confession.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'To Tell You The Truth'
Talking to a best friend about a crush.
说实话 (Shuō shí huà)
Sharing a sincere thought with a colleague or acquaintance.
不瞒你说 (Bù mán nǐ shuō)
Making a serious admission in a professional setting.
坦白地说 (Tǎn bái de shuō)
When to use 不瞒你说
Admitting a mistake
I lost the keys.
Sharing a secret
I'm moving away.
Giving a hot take
I don't like spicy food.
Being vulnerable
I'm actually quite nervous.
연습 문제 은행
2 연습 문제___，我的中文还没那么好。
The speaker is admitting their Chinese isn't great yet, so 'To tell you the truth' is the perfect opening.
___，我完全忘了今天是你的生日。
This phrase sets the stage for a sincere apology and confession.
🎉 점수: /2
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not at all! It's very common in daily life. It sounds more like 'To be honest' than 'I have a dark secret to confess.'
Yes, it works well in semi-formal emails to explain a situation sincerely, like 不瞒您说，最近我身体不太舒服.
They are very similar, but 不瞒你说 feels slightly more intimate and warm, while 说实话 is more direct.
The character 瞒 (mán) means to hide the truth or to conceal. So the phrase literally means 'Not concealing [it] from what I tell you'.
Absolutely. It's a great way to start a serious conversation with family members.
Younger people might just say 老实说 (lǎo shí shuō), which is very punchy and casual.
Usually, it's followed by something unexpected or a bit private, but it doesn't have to be negative. It could be a surprise positive, like 不瞒你说，我中奖了 (To tell you the truth, I won the lottery).
All the time! You'll hear it in dramas right before a character reveals their true feelings or a plot twist.
It's rarely used in anger. It's much more common for building bridges or being vulnerable than for confrontation.
It might be a bit too much for a total stranger (like a taxi driver), unless you've already been chatting for a while.
관련 표현
说实话 (Shuō shí huà) - To tell the truth
坦白说 (Tǎn bái shuō) - To be frank / To confess
老实说 (Lǎo shí shuō) - Honestly speaking
实话实说 (Shí huà shí shuō) - To speak plainly / To tell it like it is
