Meaning and Usage
"实话实说" is a common Chinese expression used to introduce a statement of honesty or frankness. It literally means "to speak the truth frankly." It is often used at the beginning of a sentence to signal that the speaker is about to share their genuine opinion or a candid fact.
Pragmatic Effect
Using "实话实说" softens the impact of potentially sensitive or critical remarks by framing them as honest and sincere. It can help build trust or prepare the listener for straightforward feedback.
Common Collocations
- 实话实说 + sentence: to honestly express an opinion or fact.
- 实话实说，我觉得...: a common pattern to introduce personal views.
Register and Tone
This phrase is informal to neutral and widely used in spoken Mandarin. It is suitable in casual conversations, workplace discussions, and media interviews.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse "实话实说" with simply "说实话"; while both mean "to tell the truth," "实话实说" emphasizes frankness and is often more emphatic.