直
zhí
In Chinese, the English word "straight" is expressed as 直 (zhí).
The most general and commonly used term for "straight" in Chinese is 直. Depending on the context, different terms are used: * To emphasize a straight and upright posture or shape, use 笔直. * In the context of transportation or driving, use 直行 to indicate going "straight."
* When discussing actions or decisions that are straightforward or direct, use 直接. * To express "straight" as a continuous action or state, use 一直. * In slang, the term 直男 refers to a "straight man," which can mean a heterosexual man or colloquially refer to a man who is socially dense or lacks romantic tact.
* When discussing actions or decisions that are straightforward or direct, use 直接. * To express "straight" as a continuous action or state, use 一直. * In slang, the term 直男 refers to a "straight man," which can mean a heterosexual man or colloquially refer to a man who is socially dense or lacks romantic tact.
Meaning: not crooked or bent (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 直 means straight in a physical sense, it is also used in the phrase 直截了当 to mean being blunt or straightforward in speech. For a more continuous meaning, the related form 连续地 can mean "continuously."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing a physical state or appearance, such as hair or a line, the reduplicated form 直直的 is often used to emphasize the quality of being straight.
How do you pronounce it?
zhí
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 他是個直男。He's straight.This sentence is useful for showing how 直 is used in the slang term for a straight man.Tatoeba #6284440 by xjjAstrus, translation #8403786 by Amastan
- Lidia有金色的直发。Lidia has straight blonde hair.This sentence is useful for showing how 直 describes the appearance of hair.Tatoeba #7768342 by jiangche, translation #919052 by sundown
- 薩米直直地盯著馬桶座圈看。Sami looked straight at the toilet seat.This sentence is useful for showing how 直 describes the direction of a gaze.Tatoeba #13552164 by LeviHighway, translation #7250276 by OsoHombre
- 他沿着直路走了。He walked along the straight road.
- 这根树干长得非常笔直。This tree trunk grows very straight.
- 他径直朝前走去。He went straight ahead.
- 请在路口直行。Please go straight at the intersection.
- 他直接给了我答案。He gave me the answer directly.
- 她一直往前走。She has been walking straight ahead.
- 他说话一向直来直去。He always speaks straightforwardly.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
晓雯 and 志强 are walking in a park.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen前面的小路很直吗？Qiánmiàn de xiǎolù hěn zhí ma?Is the path ahead straight?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，一直走就行。Shì de, yìzhí zǒu jiù xíng.Yes, just go straight ahead.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那志强带路吧。Nà Zhìqiáng dàilù ba.Then Zhiqiang, please lead the way.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没问题，跟紧我。Méi wèntí, gēnjǐn wǒ.No problem, follow me closely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “straight” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 直, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
