1.
frank advice; candid counsel; honest admonition
Honest, straightforward advice given out of genuine concern for someone, even if it is difficult to hear. Often implies the advice is unpleasant but well-intentioned.
忠言は耳に痛い。
Frank advice is hard to hear.
友人の忠言を素直に受け入れた。
I honestly accepted my friend's candid advice.
部下の忠言に耳を傾けることができるリーダーは信頼される。
A leader who can listen to frank advice from subordinates earns trust.
Composed of 忠 ('loyalty, faithfulness') and 言 ('words, speech'). The word carries the nuance that the advice comes from a place of loyalty and genuine concern, even though it may be unpleasant to receive.
The famous proverb 忠言は耳に逆らう (frank advice grates on the ear) captures the essence of this word — honest counsel is often unwelcome but valuable. This proverb originates from Chinese classics.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 忠言を呈する: to offer frank advice (formal)
- 忠言に従う: to follow candid counsel
- 忠言を無視する: to ignore frank advice
- 忠言は耳に逆らう: frank advice grates on the ear (proverb)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 助言: advice — neutral and general; does not carry the connotation of being unpleasant
- 諫言: remonstrance — more formal; specifically advising a superior against a wrong course of action
- 忠告: warning, admonition — similar meaning but slightly less literary; more common in everyday use