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直截了当 (zhí jié liǎo dàng) — direct and straightforward; blunt

Definition

A four-character idiom for speaking or acting 'straightforward and blunt,' with no beating around the bush. Often pairs with 说话 or 地-modified verbs (e.g. 回答, 解决) to describe a direct manner.

idiom
direct and straightforwardblunt

Examples

  • 直截了当，。
    Tā shuō huà zǒng shì fēi cháng zhí jié liǎo dàng, cóng bù guǎi wān mò jiǎo.
    He always speaks very directly, never beating around the bush.
  • 直截了当，。
    Wǒ men xū yào zhí jié liǎo dàng dì jiě jué zhè ge wèn tí, bié tuō yán le.
    We need to solve this problem directly, don't delay any more.
  • 直截了当。
    Tā de zhí jié liǎo dàng de huí dá ràng suǒ yǒu rén dōu hěn jīng yà.
    His straightforward answer surprised everyone.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The earliest form of 直 pairs 目, an eye, with an unclear stroke 丨.

Open 直 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
戈戈gē
Sound part声符shēngfú
雀
雀què截jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

截 combines 戈 and 雀, with 雀 supplying the sound.

Open 截 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesPersonality & Traits

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