frank; outspoken; candid
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesadjective
frank and outspoken; candid and straightforward (in speech)
archaicLiterary term often used in formal writing or classical contexts. Frequently appears in the idiom "千人之诺诺，不如一士之谔谔" (Better one honest critic than a thousand sycophants).
Qiān千
rén人
zhī之
nuò诺
nuò诺
，
bù不
rú如
yī一
shì士
zhī之
è谔
è谔
。
A thousand men saying 'yes, yes' are not worth one man speaking frankly.
Tā他
wéi为
rén人
è谔
è谔
，
zài在
cháo朝
táng堂
shàng上
gǎn敢
yú于
zhí直
jiàn谏
。
He was an outspoken man who dared to offer frank remonstrance at court.
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È谔
è谔
zhī之
yán言
suī虽
nì逆
ěr耳
，
què却
lì利
yú于
xíng行
。
Frank words may grate on the ear, but they benefit one's conduct.