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直來直去

简直来直去 · 繁直來直去

Mandarin · pinyin zhí lái zhí qù

going directly (without detour)
(fig.) direct
straightforward (in one's manner or speech)

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Characters in this entry

直: zhí · straight, erect, vertical
來: lái · come, coming; return, returning
去: qù · go away, leave, depart
来: lái · come, coming; return, returning

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

2–2–2–4 · zhi2 lai2 zhi2 qu4

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

直來直去 · find source passages ↗ · 直来直去 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 2 senses · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

zik6 loi4 zik6 heoi3

Cantonese word readings for 直來直去. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to go and return without undue delay; to go non-stop to and from
(figurative) to be frank and outspoken; to speak one's mind

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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