1.
fastball, straight pitch
In baseball, a pitch thrown straight without spin or break. The most basic type of pitch.
速い直球を投げる。
To throw a fast straight pitch.
あのピッチャーの直球は150キロを超える。
That pitcher's fastball exceeds 150 km/h.
変化球ではなく直球で勝負した。
He challenged the batter with a fastball instead of a breaking ball.
2.
directness, being straightforward, bluntness
A figurative extension from baseball: saying or doing something in a direct, unambiguous way without beating around the bush.
直球な質問をする。
To ask a direct question.
彼女は直球な性格で、思ったことをそのまま言う。
She has a direct personality and says exactly what she thinks.
直球で聞くけど、私のこと好き？
I'll ask you straight out — do you like me?
USAGE:
Originally a baseball term, but the figurative sense 2 (directness, bluntness) is extremely common in everyday conversation. The na-adjective-like usage 直球な is widespread in colloquial speech. The adverbial 直球で means "straightforwardly" or "point-blank."
KANJI:
直 means "straight" and 球 means "ball." The compound literally means "straight ball."
CONTRAST:
変化球 (breaking ball, curveball) is the opposite in both baseball and figurative usage, meaning an indirect or unexpected approach.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 直球勝負: straight pitch challenge; head-on approach
- 直球な質問: a direct question
- 直球で聞く: to ask directly