zik6 syu1 hung1 jik1直抒胸臆
Jyutpingzik6 syu1 hung1 jik1
Yalejihk syū hūng yīk
Definition
To speak one's mind; to express one's true feelings directly and without reservation.
writtencommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a literary weight, making it sound quite sophisticated in spoken Cantonese. It is often used to praise someone for their honesty or to encourage someone to stop being hesitant and express their true thoughts. Because it is a four-character idiom, it stands out against the more casual, monosyllabic vocabulary typical of daily speech.
Examples
He is a very direct person who likes to speak his mind.
What are you afraid of? Just speak your mind and say it out.
Related words
Common phrases
boldly speak one's mind
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common everyday verb, but it is actually a literary idiom that can sound overly dramatic or stiff in casual settings. Using it in a very informal conversation with friends might make you sound like you are reciting a poem or giving a formal speech.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
