直肠子 (zhí cháng zǐ) — (colloquial) a straightforward, outspoken person; someone who says what they think without tact

Definition

A colloquial idiom for someone who is blunt and says exactly what they think, with no tact. Often used to excuse or mildly criticize someone's directness — the tone can be fond or negative depending on context.

idiom
(colloquial) a straightforwardoutspoken personsomeone who says what they think without tact

Examples

  • 直肠子，。
    Tā shì gè zhí cháng zǐ, yǒu shén me shuō shén me.
    He's a straight-talker — says whatever's on his mind.
  • 直肠子，。
    Tā zhè zhǒng zhí cháng zǐ de xìng gé, yǒu shí hou huì dé zuì rén.
    Her blunt personality sometimes offends people.
  • ，直肠子，。
    Bié jiè yì, tā jiù shì gè zhí cháng zǐ, méi yǒu è yì.
    Don't mind him — he's just a straight-talker, no ill intent.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

直肠straight intestine
直zhístraight肠chángintestine
偏正Modifier + head
子zǐ

直 (straight) and 肠 (intestine) picture a frank person; 子 completes the familiar noun.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 腸; 肠 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
肉肉ròubody
Sound part声符shēngfú
昜
昜yáng腸cháng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 腸 pairs 肉, the body, with 昜, which gives the sound; the simplified 肠 is a later shorthand.

Open 肠 →

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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