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说白了 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
说白了shuōbáileto speak franklyHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, Very Hard
shuōbáile(shuo1bai2le5) T1
  1. 1to speak frankly
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March 24, 2026

说白了(說白了)shuōbáile(shuo1bai2le5)

说白了 (shuo1 bai2 le5) means 'to speak frankly' or 'to put it bluntly'. It is often used to clarify a point or to express something in a straightforward manner, typically after more complex or roundabout explanations. This phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese when one wants to cut to the chase.

Strokes16DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, directness can sometimes be seen as impolite, especially in formal situations. 说白了 reflects a cultural nuance where clarity is valued, but one must still be sensitive to the feelings of others when being frank.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person saying something complicated, like a tangled ball of yarn. Then, they take a deep breath and '说白了' (shuo1 bai2 le5) - they unravel the yarn to show the clear, simple thread underneath. The character 说 (shuo) looks like a person speaking, and 白 (bai) means white, symbolizing clarity.

Meanings of 说白了

shuōbáile(shuo1bai2le5)
1to speak frankly
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About 说白了

说白了Simplified
說白了Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 说白了

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Podcast: 说白了

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AI Study Notes for 说白了

Usage Notes

When using 说白了, it's important to ensure that the context is appropriate for frankness, as it can sometimes come across as blunt. Common collocations include 说白了,我觉得 (to put it bluntly, I think). Be mindful of tone, as using too strong a tone may offend.

HSK Study Tips

While 说白了 is not part of HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on understanding it as an idiomatic expression. It connects well with other phrases used to express opinions or clarify thoughts. Practice using it in conversation to gain fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 说白了 by using it in overly formal contexts, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying '说白了' in a job interview may come off as too blunt; a better choice would be to use more diplomatic language.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 说白了

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Component Characters

说shuōto say
HSK 19 strokes讠
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白báiwhite
HSK 55 strokes白
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了le(modal particle intensifying preceding clause)
HSK 12 strokes亅
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How to say to speak frankly in Chinese

“to speak frankly” in Chinese is说白了shuōbáile

说白了 (shuo1 bai2 le5) means 'to speak frankly' or 'to put it bluntly'. It is often used to clarify a point or to express something in a straightforward manner, typically after more complex or roundabout explanations. This phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese when one wants to cut to the chase.

When to use 说白了

When using 说白了, it's important to ensure that the context is appropriate for frankness, as it can sometimes come across as blunt. Common collocations include 说白了,我觉得 (to put it bluntly, I think). Be mindful of tone, as using too strong a tone may offend.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 说白了 by using it in overly formal contexts, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying '说白了' in a job interview may come off as too blunt; a better choice would be to use more diplomatic language.

Write 说白了

说
白
了

Practice writing 说白了 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 说白了

You can use 说白了 when you want to express something directly after providing background information, especially in casual conversations.

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