How to say "direct" in Japanese

• 直接ちょくせつJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjective, adverbCovers 'direct' in the sense of without an intermediary: direct contact, dealing with someone firsthand or in person rather than through something in between. This is the default choice for that sense.
  彼女かのじょに直接ちょくせつ言いったらどうですか。↗

  Why don't you tell her directly?
• 直ちょくCommon
  no-adjective, na-adjective, adverbGlossed simply as 'direct', but on its own it is seldom the word you want; it is really a combining element found inside other words, not a free-standing way to say 'direct'.
• まっすぐJLPT N5approx.Common
  na-adjective, adverb, nounHandles 'direct' in the physical sense: a straight, unbending line, road, or route, or a person standing upright. Think of it as 'straight' first; 'direct' appears where a straight path is meant.
  あなたはきのう放課後ほうかごまっすぐ帰宅きたくしましたか。↗

  Did you go straight home after school yesterday?
• ダイレクトCommon
  na-adjectiveThe katakana borrowing of 'direct', carrying a Western flavor typical of advertising, business, and technical language. It overlaps with 直接 in the 'without an intermediary' sense, but sounds more like imported English.
  人目ひとめをひく記事きじにするために、やっぱり冒頭ぼうとうにパンチのきいた一言ひとことをいれなきゃ。考かんがえていることを、ダイレクトに伝つたえてください。↗

  If you want to do eye-grabbing work you have to put out something punchy at the outset. Say what you mean directly.
• 司るつかさどるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor 'direct' as a verb meaning to manage or administer: to be in charge of an organization, office, or undertaking and oversee how it is run.
  市長しちょうは市政しせいを司つかさどる。↗

  The mayor administers the affairs of the city.

Use 直接 for direct, firsthand contact without an intermediary, 「まっすぐ」 for a straight line or route, 「ダイレクト」 for the loanword flavor, 「司る」 for the verb 'to direct' meaning to manage, and 直 mainly as a component.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 直接ちょくせつdirect
• 直ちょくdirect
• まっすぐstraight (ahead)
• ダイレクトdirect
• 司るつかさどるto be in charge of
• 端的たんてきfrank
• 言いつけるいいつけるto tell (to do)
• 直接的ちょくせつてきdirect
• 率直そっちょくfrank
• 単刀直入たんとうちょくにゅうstraight to the point
• 直じかdirect
• 直截ちょくせつdirect
• 方向付けるほうこうづけるto direct
• 差し向けるさしむけるto send
• 采配を振るさいはいをふるto lead
• 身も蓋もないみもふたもないblunt
• あからさまplain
• 歯に衣を着せないはにきぬをきせないoutspoken
• 歯に衣を着せぬはにきぬをきせぬoutspoken
• 歯に衣着せないはにきぬきせないoutspoken
• 歯に衣着せぬはにきぬきせぬoutspoken
• 直じきdirect
• ストレートstraightforward
• 仕切るしきるto direct
• 直球ちょっきゅうdirect (e.g. question)
• 回すまわすto move (someone or something to where its needed)
• 采配を振るうさいはいをふるうto lead
• ぶっつけunreserved
• かけるto address (someone)