franco
/ˈfɾanko/
The English word 'outspoken' can be translated into Spanish as franco. Wiktionary also lists abierto.
Meaning: speaking, or spoken, freely, openly, or boldly, vocal (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| franco | /ˈfɾanko/ | |
| abierto | /aˈbjeɾto/ | masculine |
Both franco and abierto can be used to describe someone who speaks freely, openly or boldly. Additionally, you can use the phrase hablar sin pelos en la lengua to mean 'to speak without mincing words'.
Which one should you use?
While abierto can mean 'open' in a physical sense, such as an open door, franco is more specifically used to describe a person's direct and candid manner of speaking.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective franco changes its ending based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: franca is used for feminine singular nouns, francos for masculine plural nouns and francas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfɾanko/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, being too franco can be perceived as sincericidio, a play on the words for 'sincerity' and 'suicide'. It refers to the act of being so outspoken that you accidentally destroy a relationship or cause harm.
- The word franco shares a common ancestor with the English word 'frank', as both trace back to a Germanic word meaning 'spear'.
- The phrase hablar sin pelos en la lengua literally translates to 'to speak without hairs on the tongue'. It is a vivid way to describe someone who is so outspoken that nothing stands in the way of their words.
Examples in context
- Mi amiga siempre es muy directa, dice lo que piensa sin rodeos.My friend is always outspoken, she says what she thinks without beating around the bush.
- Aquel chico es suelto de lengua, siempre dice lo que piensa.That guy is outspoken, he always speaks his mind.
- Ella es muy franca con sus opiniones.She is very outspoken with her opinions.
- Fue un comentario franco y directo.It was a frank and direct comment.
- Fue muy franco con sus opiniones.He was very outspoken with his opinions.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a coworker's blunt personality.
- Elena¿Crees que el jefe es demasiado franco?Do you think the boss is too outspoken?
- DanielNo, él solo es sincero.No, he is just sincere.
- ElenaA veces su estilo franco asusta a la gente.Sometimes his outspoken style scares people.
- DanielEs cierto, pero siempre dice la verdad.That's true, but he always tells the truth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outspoken” translations and entries franco, abierto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abierto, franco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
