1.
honesty; straightforwardness; openness
The quality of being honest, genuine, and open in expressing feelings or accepting others' words.
彼女の素直さが好きだ。
I like her straightforwardness.
素直さを失わないでほしい。
I hope you don't lose your honesty.
自分の気持ちに素直さを持つことが大切だ。
It's important to be honest with your own feelings.
2.
obedience; docility; compliance
The quality of being compliant and receptive, doing as told without resistance.
子どもの素直さに助けられた。
I was helped by the child's obedience.
素直さがあれば上達も早い。
If you have an open and receptive attitude, you improve quickly.
先輩の助言を受け入れる素直さがなければ、成長は難しい。
Without the openness to accept advice from seniors, it's hard to grow.
The noun form of the na-adjective 素直, formed by adding さ. In Japanese culture, 素直さ is generally seen as a very positive trait — it implies a person who is genuine, open to feedback, and not stubborn or resistant. It is especially valued in workplace and educational settings.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 素直さがある: to have straightforwardness/openness
- 素直さを大切にする: to value openness
- 素直さが足りない: to lack openness
- 子どもらしい素直さ: childlike innocence/honesty
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 正直さ: honesty — focuses on truthfulness and not lying, rather than openness of character
- 従順さ: submissiveness; obedience — stronger emphasis on following orders, with a more passive connotation
- 純粋さ: purity; innocence — emphasizes being untainted or uncorrupted