ehrlich gesagt
/ˈeːɐ̯lɪç ɡəˈzaːkt/
The English phrase "to be honest" can be translated into German using ehrlich gesagt. Wiktionary also lists um ehrlich zu sein.
Meaning: frankly (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| ehrlich gesagt | /ˈeːɐ̯lɪç ɡəˈzaːkt/ /… ɡəˈza(ː)xt/ (Northern, also, Germany) |
| um ehrlich zu sein | /ʊm ˈeːrlɪç t͡sə saɪ̯n/ (word by word) |
Both ehrlich gesagt and um ehrlich zu sein are typically used as sentence adverbials at the beginning of a clause to introduce a frank or potentially blunt opinion.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ehrlich gesagt is a literal translation of "honestly said".
Which one should you use?
ehrlich gesagt is a more common, slightly more colloquial way to start a sentence than the more formal um ehrlich zu sein.
How does it change in a sentence?
um ehrlich zu sein uses an infinitive construction with zu, which is a common way to express purpose or manner in German.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈeːɐ̯lɪç ɡəˈzaːkt/
Did you know?
- The word ehrlich is built from the root for 'honour', specifically the word Ehre. It literally describes something as being 'honour-ly'.
- The German word for 'his own' is sein, which is the exact same word used for the verb 'to be' in many contexts. This can lead to confusingly similar looking words in text.
- The word ehrlich contains a suffix '-lich' that acts much like the English suffix '-ly'. However, unlike English, this suffix often creates adjectives rather than just adverbs.
Examples in context
- Ehrlich gesagt, weiß ich nichts.To be honest, I don't know anything.This example shows how to use ehrlich gesagt to express a lack of knowledge.Tatoeba #12264760 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11609727 by carlosalberto
- Ehrlich gesagt wusste ich das nicht.To be honest, I didn't know that.This example shows how to use ehrlich gesagt regarding past knowledge.Tatoeba #8886119 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10804236 by sundown
- Ehrlich gesagt, habe ich Angst vor Tom.To be honest, I'm afraid of Tom.This example shows how to use ehrlich gesagt to express fear.Tatoeba #9443735 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9432465 by CK
- Um ehrlich zu sein, muss ich sagen, dass ich Ihre Vorschläge nicht überzeugend finde.To be honest, I must say that I find your suggestions unconvincing.
- Um die Wahrheit zu sagen, bin ich mit Ihrer Entscheidung nicht einverstanden.To tell the truth, I disagree with your decision.
- Ehrlich gesagt, finde ich diesen Film ziemlich langweilig.To be honest, I find this movie quite boring.
- Wenn ich (ganz) ehrlich bin, habe ich seit langer Zeit nicht mehr so gelacht.If I'm (completely) honest, I haven't laughed this much in a long time.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they recently saw.
- HannahWie fandest du den Film?How did you find the movie?
- JulianEhrlich gesagt, war er ziemlich langweilig.To be honest, it was quite boring.
- HannahDas finde ich auch.I think so too.
- JulianIch bin froh, dass wir ihn nicht noch einmal sehen.I am glad that we aren't seeing it again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to be honest” translations and entries ehrlich gesagt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (um, ehrlich, zu, sein) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ehrlich, ehrlich gesagt, sein, um, zu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
