honest
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honest
Telling the truth and sincere in character; not lying, cheating, or stealing.
Ein ehrlicher Freund sagt dir auch dann die Wahrheit, wenn sie unangenehm ist.
An honest friend tells you the truth even when it is unpleasant.
The word 'ehrlich' (honest) is derived from 'die Ehre' (honor). Someone who is 'ehrlich' therefore acts in a way that preserves their honor. The ending '-lich' turns the noun into an adjective.
Er ist ein Mann von großer Ehre.
He is a man of great honor.
The expression 'ehrlich gesagt' (honestly speaking) usually appears at the beginning of a sentence and is separated by a comma. The conjugated verb of the main clause then follows directly after the comma in position 2.
Ehrlich gesagt, habe ich das Buch noch nicht gelesen.
Honestly speaking, I haven't read the book yet.
'Ehrlich' (honestly) can also be used as an adverb to describe a verb. It then means 'in an honest way.' Typical combinations are 'ehrlich antworten' (to answer honestly), 'etwas ehrlich zugeben' (to honestly admit something), or 'etwas ehrlich meinen' (to sincerely mean something).
Bitte antworte mir ehrlich: Gefällt dir das Geschenk?
Please answer me honestly: Do you like the gift?
When 'ehrlich' (honest) describes things, it means 'solid,' 'authentic,' or 'unadulterated.' This meaning is often used for products associated with craftsmanship and tradition, such as 'ehrliche Arbeit' (honest work), 'ehrliches Handwerk' (honest craftsmanship), or 'ehrliche Küche' (honest cooking).
In diesem Restaurant gibt es noch ehrliche Hausmannskost.
This restaurant still serves honest home-style cooking.
direct
'direkt' and 'ehrlich' can both describe how someone speaks. 'ehrlich' means that someone tells the truth and does not pretend something false. 'direkt' means that someone says openly and without beating around the bush what they think. So you can be honest without being very direct, for example by being polite and careful. And you can speak directly, which can sometimes come across as harsh. Learners confuse the words because both fit clear communication. When it is about truth, 'ehrlich' fits. When it is about a clear, blunt manner, 'direkt' fits.
Ehrlich gesagt habe ich den Termin am Montag vergessen.
Honestly, I forgot the appointment on Monday.
Der Arzt war direkt und erklärte mir sofort, was die Untersuchung gezeigt hat.
The doctor was direct and immediately explained to me what the examination had shown.