HSK · Level 55
105 words
Chinese word
说白了
Pronunciation
Pinyinshuō bái le
Meaning
- adverbfrankly
Example
说白了，我不擅长做饭。shuō bái le wǒ bú shàn cháng zuò fàn
Frankly, I am not good at cooking.
More examples
说白了，我们应该换个方案。shuō bái le wǒ men yīng gāi huàn gè fāng àn
To put it bluntly, we should change the plan.
Core concept
A long explanation is compressed into one plain statement.
Common phrases
说白了，shuō bái le
to put it bluntly
Similar words
说实话shuō shí huà: Used to introduce an honest statement about one's own feelings or views.
老实说lǎo shí shuō: Used casually when giving a candid opinion without concealing one's real thoughts.
坦白说tǎn bái shuō: Used to introduce a frank statement of one's real thoughts, without polite restraint.
实话说shí huà shuō: Used casually to say what is true or what one truly feels.
Definition in Chinese
用于引出对前述内容的总结或直率评论，常位于句首或作为插入语，口语色彩强且语气较为直白。yòng yú yǐn chū duì qián shù nèi róng de zǒng jié huò zhí shuài píng lùn cháng wèi yú jù shǒu huò zuò wéi chā rù yǔ kóu yǔ sè cǎi qiáng qiě yǔ qì jiào wéi zhí bái
Word origin
说 (shuō, "say") + 白 (bái, "clear") + 了 (le, "change of state") presents the point as having been made clear, which develops into a marker for a direct summary.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 说白了 (shuōbáile, "to put it plainly") fits relaxed speech and can sound too blunt for a formal letter or official statement.
Other meanings
- to put it bluntlyadverb
Opposites
- 拐弯抹角guǎi wān mò jiǎoin a roundabout wayadverb