素直(すなお)

素直(すなお) describes someone who accepts things without resistance or twisting them — obedient in behavior, or honest and unguarded in how they express themselves.

Usage

• Of a child or subordinate, it leans toward "obedient, does as told"
• Of feelings, apologies, or praise, it leans toward "honest, without pretense"
• Almost always complimentary; the negative 素直(すなお)じゃない is a common way to call someone stubborn or unable to admit their real feelings

Forms

• 素直(すなお)な + noun: 素直(すなお)な子(こ) (an obedient child)
• 素直(すなお)に + verb: 素直(すなお)に従(したが)う (to obey willingly)

Common collocations

• 素直(すなお)に謝(あやま)る (to apologize honestly)
• 素直(すなお)に喜(よろこ)ぶ (to be honestly happy)
• 素直(すなお)な気持(きも)ち (honest feelings)
• 素直(すなお)な性格(せいかく) (obedient/honest personality)

Similar words

• 正直(しょうじき): honest in the sense of not lying; 素直(すなお) is about not resisting or posturing
• 従順(じゅうじゅん): obedient, but stiffer and closer to "submissive"
• 頑固(がんこ): stubborn, the usual opposite