直来直去 (zhí lái zhí qù) — frank and outspoken; blunt (in speech or manner); to go and return directly without delay

Definition

Describes a direct, frank speaking style — no beating around the bush, like 说话直来直去. The same form can also describe a route with no detours (a road that's 直来直去).

verb
frank and outspokenblunt (in speech or manner)to go and return directly without delay

Examples

  • 直来直去，。
    Tā shuō huà zǒng shì zhí lái zhí qù, cóng bù guǎi wān mò jiǎo.
    He always speaks bluntly, never beating around the bush.
  • 直来直去，。
    Zhè tiáo lù zhí lái zhí qù, kāi chē zhǐ yào shí fēn zhōng.
    This road goes straight there and back; driving only takes ten minutes.
  • 直来直去。
    Wǒ xǐ huan tā zhí lái zhí qù de xìng gé.
    I like his straightforward personality.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

直来come straight
直zhístraight来láicome
偏正Modifier + head
直去go straight
直zhístraight去qùgo
偏正Modifier + head

直 means straight in 直来 and 直去, so 来 and 去 are direct, giving blunt speech or a quick return.

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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 →

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

去 pairs 大, a man, with 口, a mouth or object. The evidence reads this as a man leaving a place, a man opening his mouth, or a cover over an object.

Open 去 →

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