直言 literally means 'direct speech' — 直 (zhí) means 'straight,' 'direct,' or 'frank,' and 言 (yán) means 'speech' or 'words.' Together, they form a noun meaning candid, honest, and unfiltered expression — especially when speaking truthfully even when it’s uncomfortable or socially risky. It emphasizes sincerity over tact and is often associated with moral courage.

This word appears frequently in formal or literary contexts: historical texts praise ministers who offered 直言 to the emperor; modern usage describes people who speak their mind openly in meetings or personal relationships. While positive in connotation, it can carry subtle criticism if someone’s 直言 seems blunt or insensitive. It is not used for casual honesty among friends — for that, words like 实话 (shíhuà, 'honest words') or 坦白 (tǎnbái, 'frankness') are more common. 直言 implies principled, sometimes solemn, truth-telling.