坦白

• Pinyin: tǎn bái
• Hanzi breakdown: 坦 = 土 (earth) + 旦 (dawn); 白 = pictograph of the sun

Meaning

Frank; candid; to confess. Being honest and open, or admitting to wrongdoing.

As an adjective: honest and straightforward in manner. As a verb: to confess, especially to authorities. The legal phrase 坦白从宽 means 'leniency for those who confess.'

Examples

1. 坦白说，我不太赞同你的方案，但我尊重你的决定。 Frankly speaking, I don't quite agree with your proposal, but I respect your decision.
2. 嫌疑人经过一夜审讯终于坦白了自己的罪行。 After a night of interrogation, the suspect finally confessed to his crimes.
3. 他是个坦白的人，有什么说什么，从不藏着掖着。 He's a frank person — he says what he thinks and never hides anything.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, legal

Tone: direct

Do Say

• 坦白说，我做不到。(Frankly speaking, I can't do it.)
• 坦白从宽，抗拒从严。(Leniency for confession, severity for resistance.)

Don't Say

• 把'坦白'和'诚实'完全等同 (坦白 emphasizes openness in communication; 诚实 is broader honesty)

Origin & History

坦 means flat or open, 白 means clear or plain. Together: open and clear; frank.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal