frankly

/ˈfræŋkli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfræŋkli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfraŋ-klē/ (ame, mw)

frankly — 副詞

1. in a way that shows what you truly think, without hiding your feelings or trying

1.副詞B2
釋義

坦率地

以直接誠實的方式說話

in a way that shows what you truly think, without hiding your feelings or trying to be polite.

例句

Hugo spoke frankly about his struggles with anxiety during the team meeting.

Hugo 在團隊會議上坦率地說出他與焦慮症搏鬥的經歷。

spoke frankly about [topic]

The nurse asked Imran to answer frankly about how many cigarettes he smoked each day.

護士請 Imran 坦率地回答他每天抽多少根香菸。

adverbial position after verb: answer frankly about

同義詞
  • honestly

    more general; can describe both manner and character, while frankly focuses on directness of speech

  • candidly

    slightly more formal; implies openness about something difficult or personal

  • openly

    suggests transparency and willingness to share without hiding anything

  • directly

    emphasises going straight to the point, possibly at the cost of politeness

反義詞
  • dishonestly

    opposite meaning — hiding the truth

  • evasively

    opposite in communication style — avoiding the topic deliberately

文法句型

frankly modifies a verb of communication

[verb] + frankly about + [topic]

用法筆記

Typically used with verbs of communication: speak, talk, answer, discuss, tell, admit, and reply. The adverb follows the verb or comes between the verb and its object.

常見錯誤

❌He frankly spoke to me about the issue.
✅He spoke frankly to me about the issue.
💡In the manner-adverb sense, frankly usually follows the verb, not precedes it.

2. used when you want to make it clear that you are expressing your true opinion, e

2.副詞B2
釋義

坦白說

表達可能得罪人的直言

used when you want to make it clear that you are expressing your true opinion, especially when that opinion could upset or annoy the person hearing it.

例句

Frankly, I think Esteban's proposal has too many problems to be worth considering.

坦白說，我認為 Esteban 的提案問題太多，不值得考慮。

Frankly, + [full clause], introducing a negative opinion

Frankly, Mira doesn't care whether her neighbours approve of her new hairstyle or not.

坦白說，Mira 並不在乎鄰居是否認同她的新髮型。

同義詞
  • honestly

    can replace frankly in most sentence-adverb uses, but is slightly less direct about the risk of offending

  • to be honest

    a more conversational, slightly softer equivalent; often used in everyday speech

  • truthfully

    emphasises factual accuracy rather than blunt directness

文法句型

Frankly, + [clause]

[clause], frankly, [rest of clause]

用法筆記

This is a sentence adverb (or speaker attitude marker). Unlike sense 1, it modifies the whole statement, not a single verb. It signals that the speaker is making an honest — often critical or uncomfortable — remark. Commonly appears at the start of a sentence or set off by commas.

常見錯誤

❌Frankly, he answered the question.' (if meaning 'in a frank manner').
✅He answered frankly.
💡When frankly modifies the manner of an action (sense 1), place it after the verb. Sentence-initial position signals the sense 2 meaning of 'to be honest.'