para ser honesto
masculine
To say to be honest in Spanish, use para ser honesto. If unsure, use para ser honesto. Wiktionary also lists si me apuras.
Meaning: frankly (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| para ser honesto | masculine | |
| si me apuras | /si me apuɾas/ (from spelling rules) |
Put para ser honesto at the start of a sentence before giving a frank opinion, just as in English.
What does it mean word for word?
para means for or in order to, ser means to be and honesto means honest.
How does it change in a sentence?
honesto is the masculine form. A woman speaking about herself usually changes the final o to a.
Did you know?
- While you might use para ser honesto in a classroom, in many Spanish-speaking countries, people use the phrase si me apuras to mean 'to be honest' or 'if I'm being frank'.
- The Spanish verb ser absorbed an Old Spanish verb meaning 'to sit' along its historical development.
- While para ser honesto is common, Spanish speakers often use the phrase la verdad (the truth) alone to serve the exact same function as 'to be honest'.
Examples in context
- Para ser honesto, no me gusta este color.To be honest, I do not like this color.
- Para ser honesto, estoy muy cansado hoy.To be honest, I am very tired today.
- Para ser honesto, es un poco caro.To be honest, it is a little expensive.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a new restaurant.
- Daniel¿Te gustó la comida de este lugar?Did you like the food at this place?
- SofíaPara ser honesta, estaba un poco salada.To be honest, it was a little salty.
- DanielPara ser honesto, yo también lo sentí así.To be honest, I felt that way too.
- SofíaEntonces, no volveremos pronto.Then, we will not return soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to be honest” translations and entries si me apuras, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries honesto, me, para, ser, si, CC BY-SA 4.0.
