率直に and 正直に、how do they differ?


I just wanted to know how they were different (tone, formality, implications,
etc.).




正直に means "without hiding", whereas 率直に means "without sugar coating". For
example you can say to a child who is apparently hiding some truth "正直に言いなさい",
but not "率直に言いなさい".

正直な感想を言いますと would imply the speaker was hiding, or was considering hiding
his/her true feelings (or at least could have considered hiding). This is
useful as a softener before mentioning something that might upset the
listener. 率直な感想を言いますと simply means he/she is being candid, so it can be used
for positive things as well.

Few examples:

> 「うちの学生の質はどうですか？」  
>  「正直に言いますと、A高校よりは劣るような気がします」

.

> 「このラーメンうまいでしょう」  
>  「正直に言いますと、豚骨はあまり好きじゃないんです」

.

> 「日本一の職場と言っても良いのではないか、というのが率直な感想です」

When you say

> 「日本一の職場と言っても良いのではないか、というのが正直な感想です」

It would mean "Really, my honest opinion is that this could be the best
workplace in Japan".




正直に means "without hiding", whereas 率直に means "without sugar coating". For
example you can say to a child who is apparently hiding some truth "正直に言いなさい",
but not "率直に言いなさい".

正直な感想を言いますと would imply the speaker was hiding, or was considering hiding
his/her true feelings (or at least could have considered hiding). This is
useful as a softener before mentioning something that might upset the
listener. 率直な感想を言いますと simply means he/she is being candid, so it can be used
for positive things as well.

Few examples:

> 「うちの学生の質はどうですか？」  
>  「正直に言いますと、A高校よりは劣るような気がします」

.

> 「このラーメンうまいでしょう」  
>  「正直に言いますと、豚骨はあまり好きじゃないんです」

.

> 「日本一の職場と言っても良いのではないか、というのが率直な感想です」

When you say

> 「日本一の職場と言っても良いのではないか、というのが正直な感想です」

It would mean "Really, my honest opinion is that this could be the best
workplace in Japan".

