単刀直入・短刀直入|たんとうちょくにゅうtantouchokunyuu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
単刀直入The most common written form, 単刀直入 expresses directness and frankness. Use it when you want to convey a straight-to-the-point or point-blank approach in Japanese.
短刀直入短刀直入 is a less common written variant of 単刀直入, using an irregular kanji. You may encounter it, but choose 単刀直入 for your own writing.
Definitions
- na-adjective, no-adjectivestraight to the point; point-blank; frank; direct
Conjugation
| Plain form | 単刀直入（たんとうちょくにゅう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 単刀直入です（たんとうちょくにゅうです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 単刀直入ではない（たんとうちょくにゅうではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 単刀直入ではありません（たんとうちょくにゅうではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 単刀直入だった（たんとうちょくにゅうだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 単刀直入ではなかった（たんとうちょくにゅうではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 単刀直入で（たんとうちょくにゅうで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 単刀直入に（たんとうちょくにゅうに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 単刀直入なら（たんとうちょくにゅうなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym率直そっちょくNeutralFrank and sincere, nothing hidden; about mindset, whereas 「単刀直入」 is about going straight to the main point.
- SynonymストレートNeutralLoanword, common in speech; direct, and also a fastball or straight hair; 「単刀直入」 specifically means cutting to the point without detours.
- SynonymフランクNeutralLoanword; easygoing and frank, approachable; about a warm, unreserved attitude.
- SynonymざっくばらんCasualColloquial; speaking openly and holding nothing back, with a friendly, casual feel.
- Synonym直截ちょくせつWrittenWritten; crisp, not beating around the bush, as in 「直截な表現」.
- Related直接的ちょくせつてきNeutralDirect, with no intermediary; about method, not specifically speech.
- RelatedダイレクトNeutralLoanword for direct; you can say 「ダイレクトに言う」, and it appears in 「ダイレクトメール」, but it does not specifically mean getting to the point.
- Related正直しょうじきNeutralHonest, not lying; as an adverb, 'to be honest'. About sincerity.
- RelatedありのままNeutralAs things are, unembellished, as in 「ありのままに話す」; about truthful content, whereas 「単刀直入」 is about skipping detours and getting to the point.
- Related真っ正直まっしょうじきNeutralUtterly honest, unable to lie; about honesty rather than the way one speaks.
- Related簡明直截かんめいちょくせつWrittenWritten four-character compound; simple and direct, describing plain, clear expression. Very rarely used.
- Antonym遠まわしとおまわしNeutralRoundabout, saying things indirectly; the opposite of getting straight to the point.
- Antonym婉曲えんきょくWrittenWritten; euphemistic and veiled, the opposite of plain directness.
To ask point-blank, say 「単刀直入に聞きます」. For frank expression use 「率直」; in casual speech 「ストレート」 or 「ざっくばらん」. To say something indirectly, use 「遠回し」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
