歯に衣着せぬ
はにきぬきせぬ
outspoken, not mincing words
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
歯に衣着せぬ批評だ。
はにきぬきせぬひひょうだ。
It is outspoken criticism.
彼は歯に衣着せぬ物言いで知られている。
かれははにきぬきせぬものいいでしられている。
He is known for speaking his mind without softening it.
歯に衣着せぬ意見をくれる友人は貴重だ。
はにきぬきせぬいけんをくれるゆうじんはきちょうだ。
A friend who gives you an unvarnished opinion is precious.
Common patterns
- 歯に衣着せぬ物言い
- blunt, unvarnished speech
- 歯に衣着せぬ意見
- a frank opinion
- 歯に衣着せずに言う
- to say it without mincing words
Memory tip
Teeth with no clothing on them: nothing is dressed up before it leaves the mouth. Note the negative -ぬ ending stays attached before a noun (歯に衣着せぬ〜), and the tone is usually admiring rather than critical.
Kanji in this word
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What does 歯に衣着せぬ mean?