How to understand 素直


For the longest time, I thought 素直 meant "honest" (because my dicitionary gave
it as one of several meanings). Now I've also seen the meaning "docile". and
now I'm totally confused. Eg. in the sentence

素直になればいい

Are you meant to become more honest (to whom)? Or more obedient (to
whom/what)? Does it depend on the context?

Is it possible my confusion stems from the fact that we would express these
things completely differently in English?




素直 has a few subtle uses. If someone is describing another person as "sunao",
they could mean honest, I suppose, but it might more accurately be described
as "being honest to oneself" ... in other words, to be accepting of some fact,
(as opposed to being argumentative about it, which is where the sense of being
"docile" fits in with the various uses of the word) In anime where I've heard
it used, it's generally someone asking another person to accept their
situation with grace. That ties in with obedience if the situation is that of
a subordinate to a superior. If you're arguing with your higher-ups, you are
definitely not "素直"

Common phrases that include 素直:

sunao na hanashi: a frank, honest discussion

sunao na hito: a mild-mannered/calm/open-minded/frank person (depends on
context)

sunao ni naru: calm down/be honest (with yourself)/give in




素直 has a few subtle uses. If someone is describing another person as "sunao",
they could mean honest, I suppose, but it might more accurately be described
as "being honest to oneself" ... in other words, to be accepting of some fact,
(as opposed to being argumentative about it, which is where the sense of being
"docile" fits in with the various uses of the word) In anime where I've heard
it used, it's generally someone asking another person to accept their
situation with grace. That ties in with obedience if the situation is that of
a subordinate to a superior. If you're arguing with your higher-ups, you are
definitely not "素直"

Common phrases that include 素直:

sunao na hanashi: a frank, honest discussion

sunao na hito: a mild-mannered/calm/open-minded/frank person (depends on
context)

sunao ni naru: calm down/be honest (with yourself)/give in

