はっきり言う

You combine the adverb はっきり (clearly) with the verb 言う (to say). You can change the verb ending to fit your situation. For example, はっきり言ってください means "Please tell me clearly." If you are starting a sentence with an honest opinion, try はっきり言って... which works like "To be honest..." in English. It is a very versatile phrase that fits into many sentence structures.

Use this when someone is being vague and you need the truth. It is great for giving feedback on a project at work. You can use it when ordering food with specific preferences. If a friend asks for your honest opinion on a new outfit, use this. It is also useful in meetings when a firm decision is required. Use it whenever clarity is more important than being subtle.

Be careful using this with people of much higher status. Avoid it with a CEO or a new grandmother-in-law. In Japan, being too direct can sometimes feel like a verbal slap. If the atmosphere is very formal or delicate, soften your words. Don't use it if you are trying to be enryo (politely reserved). It can sound aggressive if your tone is too sharp.

Japan is famous for "reading the air" or kuuki wo yomu. This means people often guess thoughts without anyone saying them. はっきり言う is the opposite of that traditional indirectness. It is a tool for modern life where being direct saves time. While it is becoming more common in business, it still feels bold. It often signals that the speaker is stepping out of social norms to be truthful. This tension between honne (true feelings) and tatemae (public face) makes this phrase powerful.

You might hear はっきりした when describing a person with a clear personality. Another one is はっきりしない, used when someone is being wishy-washy or vague. If you want to be even more intense, try ズバリ言う (zubari iu). That phrase is like "hitting the nail on the head." You can also use はっきりさせて to mean "make it clear" or "decide already."