candour
Meaning: The quality of being open, honest, and frank in expression, especially when discussing uncomfortable or sensitive matters.
Candour is regarded as a virtue in British public life, particularly in contexts where evasion or euphemism might be expected. A politician speaking with candour is refreshingly honest; a 'duty of candour' requires NHS trusts to be transparent about medical errors. It collocates with 'refreshing,' 'remarkable,' 'disarming,' 'brutal,' and 'admirable.' The word carries wholly positive connotations — even 'brutal candour' implies respect for the honest speaker. Note the British spelling with -our.
Examples
- The outgoing governor spoke with unusual candour about the mistakes made during his tenure. 即将离任的总裁以罕见的坦诚谈论了其任期内所犯的错误。El gobernador saliente habló con una franqueza inusual sobre los errores cometidos durante su mandato.退任する総裁は、在任中に犯した過ちについて異例の率直さで語った。퇴임하는 총재는 재임 기간 중 저지른 실수에 대해 이례적인 솔직함으로 이야기했다.
- The duty of candour requires healthcare providers to inform patients when something has gone wrong with their treatment. 坦诚义务要求医疗服务提供者在患者治疗出现问题时如实告知。El deber de franqueza exige que los proveedores de atención sanitaria informen a los pacientes cuando algo ha salido mal en su tratamiento.率直義務は、医療提供者に対し、患者の治療に問題が生じた場合にそれを患者に知らせることを求めている。솔직 의무(duty of candour)는 의료 제공자에게 환자의 치료에 문제가 발생했을 때 이를 환자에게 알릴 것을 요구한다.
- Her candour in the interview won her admirers, even among those who disagreed with her policies. 她在采访中的坦率为她赢得了赞赏者,即使是那些不同意其政策的人也对此表示钦佩。Su franqueza en la entrevista le granjeó admiradores, incluso entre quienes discrepaban de sus políticas.インタビューでの彼女の率直さは、政策に反対する人々の間でさえ称賛を集めた。인터뷰에서의 그녀의 솔직함은 정책에 반대하는 이들 사이에서도 찬사를 받았다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, politics, professional
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From Latin candor (whiteness, purity, sincerity), from candere (to shine, be white). Entered English via French in the 17th century, with the sense shifting from 'purity' to 'frankness.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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