忌 憚(きたん)

きたん

noun

reserve, hesitation, restraint

formalpolitewrittenspokencommunication

1. reserve, hesitation, restraint

Holding back or being reserved in expressing one's true thoughts or opinions out of respect, fear, or social consideration. Almost always appears in the negative form 忌憚(きたん)なく (without reserve).

忌憚(きたん)のない意見(いけん)をください。

Please give me your frank opinion.

忌憚(きたん)なく申(もう)し上(あ)げます。

I will speak frankly.

どうか忌憚(きたん)のないご意見(いけん)をお聞(き)かせください。

Please share your candid opinion with us.

忌憚(きたん)なく議論(ぎろん)できる場(ば)が必要(ひつよう)だ。

We need a place where we can discuss things openly.

忌憚(きたん) is almost exclusively used in the negative form to mean "without reserve" or "frankly."

Key expressions

忌憚(きたん)のない + noun (frank, candid, unreserved)
忌憚(きたん)なく + verb (without hesitation, frankly)

Common collocations

忌憚(きたん)のない意見(いけん) (frank opinion)
忌憚(きたん)のない批判(ひはん) (candid criticism)
忌憚(きたん)なく言(い)う (to say frankly)

Note: This is a formal expression commonly used in business and official contexts when inviting honest feedback or indicating one will speak candidly.

Related words

遠慮(えんりょ)なく: without hesitation (more common)
率直(そっちょく)に: frankly, candidly
本音(ほんね): true feelings, real intention

general

Added 2026.2.2 0:15 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

09000/09456_kitan