老实说

• Pinyin: lǎo shi shuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 老 = 耂 + 匕 (old/experienced); 实 = 宀 + 贯 (solid/genuine); 说 = 讠+ 兑 (speak)

Meaning

To be honest; frankly speaking; honestly. An adverbial phrase used to introduce a candid or sincere admission.

Used at the start of a sentence to signal a genuine or frank remark, often something the speaker might otherwise hesitate to say. Common in both spoken and written registers. More direct than 说实话.

Examples

1. 老实说，这份工作我并不感兴趣。 To be honest, I’m not interested in this job.
2. 老实说，我当时根本没把握能成功。 Honestly, I had no confidence at all that I would succeed back then.
3. 老实说，你的方案还有很大的改进空间。 Honestly, your plan still has a lot of room for improvement.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, candid admission

Tone: candid

Do Say

• 老实说，我不太同意你的看法。(To be honest, I don't quite agree with your view.)
• 老实说，这件事让我很为难。(To be honest, this matter puts me in a very difficult position.)

Don't Say

• 在正式书面场合用老实说开头 — 正式文体应用'坦率地说'或'直言不讳地说'代替

Origin & History

老实 (honest/straightforward) + 说 (to say/speak)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal