साफ-साफ कहना

You use it as a verb phrase. You can tell someone to do it: साफ-साफ कहो (Say it clearly). Or you can describe your own action: मैंने उसे साफ-साफ कह दिया (I told him plainly). The double use of साफ adds emphasis. It makes the 'cleanliness' of your speech feel absolute. It is like saying 'clearly-clearly.'

Use it when a situation is getting messy. Maybe a friend is giving mixed signals about dinner plans. Use it in a meeting when a project is failing. It works perfectly when you want to avoid a misunderstanding. It is great for setting boundaries. Use it when you need a 'yes' or 'no' answer. It saves everyone a lot of time and mental energy.

Be careful with people much older than you. In Indian culture, being too direct can seem rude. Don't use it if you are trying to be subtle or poetic. If you are at a wedding and the food is bad, don't say it साफ-साफ. That might get you kicked out! Avoid it when someone is already very upset. Sometimes a little 'fog' is kinder than the cold truth.

Indian communication is often 'high-context.' This means people usually hint at things rather than saying them. Because of this, साफ-साफ कहना is a powerful tool. It breaks the cycle of guessing. It shows you value honesty over social 'politeness.' It has become very popular in modern, fast-paced urban India. It signals a 'no-nonsense' attitude that young professionals love.

You might hear साफ-साफ बताना (to tell clearly). Another one is खुलकर बोलना (to speak openly). If someone is being very blunt, they might use मुंह पर कहना (to say it to their face). But साफ-साफ कहना remains the most common way to ask for clarity. It sounds firm but fair. It is the gold standard for honest communication.