直球(ちょっきゅう)

ちょっきゅう
noun
fastball; being direct
sportscommunication
1. fastball, straight pitch
In baseball, a pitch thrown straight without spin or break. The most basic type of pitch.
速(はや)い直球(ちょっきゅう)を投(な)げる。
To throw a fast straight pitch.
あのピッチャーの直球(ちょっきゅう)は150キロを超(こ)える。
That pitcher's fastball exceeds 150 km/h.
変化球(へんかきゅう)ではなく直球(ちょっきゅう)で勝負(しょうぶ)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(ちょっきゅう)な質問(しつもん)をする。
To ask a direct question.
彼女(かのじょ)は直球(ちょっきゅう)な性格(せいかく)で、思(おも)ったことをそのまま言(い)う。
She has a direct personality and says exactly what she thinks.
直球(ちょっきゅう)で聞(き)くけど、私(わたし)のこと好(す)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(ちょっきゅう)な is widespread in colloquial speech. The adverbial 直球(ちょっきゅう)で means "straightforwardly" or "point-blank."

Writing

直(ちょく) means "straight" and 球(きゅう) means "ball." The compound literally means "straight ball."

Similar words

変化球(へんかきゅう) (breaking ball, curveball) is the opposite in both baseball and figurative usage, meaning an indirect or unexpected approach.

Common collocations

Related Words

Antonym: 変化球(へんかきゅう) (breaking ball; curveball)
Related: 豪速球(ごうそっきゅう) (blazing fastball)
general
Added 2026.2.26 21:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13689_chokkyuu