直

• Pinyin: zhí
• Hanzi breakdown: 直 = 十 (ten) + 目 (eye) + 丨, depicting a straight line of sight from the eye

Meaning

Straight; directly; continuously. Describes physical straightness, directness in manner, or an uninterrupted action.

As an adjective, describes something physically straight or a person who is frank and honest. As an adverb, means 'straight ahead,' 'directly,' or 'continuously.' Common in compound words like 一直 (always, continuously) and 直接 (directly).

Examples

1. 从学校到我家，你直走就到了。 From school to my house, just go straight ahead and you'll arrive.
2. 他是一个很直的人，有什么就说什么。 He is a very straightforward person who says whatever is on his mind.
3. 这条路很直，开车很方便。 This road is very straight, so it's convenient to drive.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, directions, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 一直走就到了。(Just keep going straight and you'll get there.)
• 你别拐弯，直说吧。(Don't beat around the bush; say it directly.)

Don't Say

• 这个人很直觉。(Don't confuse 直 with 直觉 — 直 means straight or frank, while 直觉 means intuition. Say 这个人很直 for a frank person)

Origin & History

Originally a pictograph showing an eye (目) looking straight ahead with a vertical line, representing seeing in a straight line.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal