(きたん)

きたん
noun
reserve, hesitation, restraint
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(もう)()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()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()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()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