# 心直口快

xīn zhí kǒu kuài

Speak frankly and readily

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A direct heart and a quick mouth

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe someone who readily says what they think.

Frankness benefits from attention to timing and other people's feelings.

## The image & its use

The expression connects an open intention with quick speech. Someone described this way tends to state a reaction directly instead of carefully hiding it. It can be affectionate praise for honesty, or a gentle explanation of a remark that came too soon. Speaking readily is not the same as always being correct. A useful sentence shows the person's straightforward manner while allowing for the listening and tact that help a frank conversation work.

## Examples

她心直口快，直接说出了建议。

### Traditional Chinese

她心直口快，直接說出了建議。

tā xīn zhí kǒu kuài ， zhí jiē shuō chū le jiàn yì 。

She readily offered her suggestion in a frank way.

他虽然心直口快，也很愿意听人解释。

### Traditional Chinese

他雖然心直口快，也很願意聽人解釋。

tā suī rán xīn zhí kǒu kuài ， yě hěn yuàn yì tīng rén jiě shì 。

Although outspoken, he is willing to hear explanations.

我有时心直口快，需要多想一步。

### Traditional Chinese

我有時心直口快，需要多想一步。

wǒ yǒu shí xīn zhí kǒu kuài ， xū yào duō xiǎng yí bù 。

I sometimes speak too readily and need another moment to think.

心直口快的人也可以说得温和。

### Traditional Chinese

心直口快的人也可以說得溫和。

xīn zhí kǒu kuài de rén yě kě yǐ shuō dé wēn hé 。

An outspoken person can still speak gently.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1102&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BF%83%E7%9B%B4%E5%8F%A3%E5%BF%AB)

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