taan2 seot1坦率
Jyutpingtaan2 seot1
Yaletáan sēut
Definition
Frank, candid, and straightforward, without hiding one's thoughts.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
坦率 describes someone who is honest and open about their thoughts, but it carries a slightly more formal or literary weight compared to everyday spoken Cantonese. In casual conversation, locals are much more likely to use direct phrases like 講嘢直 or 唔收埋. Using 坦率 in a very informal setting can make you sound like you are reading from a book or giving a formal assessment of someone's character.
Examples
He speaks very frankly and doesn't beat around the bush.
Do you think he is straightforward enough?
Related words
Common phrases
to have a straightforward personality
to frankly admit
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 坦率 for being rude or blunt. While it means being honest, it is generally viewed as a positive personality trait, whereas being blunt or tactless is better described as 講嘢好直 or 冇禮貌.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
