Entry
ズケズケ
zukezuke
Zukezuke describes speaking bluntly or intruding verbally without caring about the listener's feelings.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used when someone voices opinions, criticisms, or personal questions directly and without hesitation. It usually carries a negative connotation of being tactless, intrusive, or overly frank to the point of being rude.
- criticizing tactlessly
- asking intrusive questions
Sense Map
Blunt Remarks
Saying harsh things or criticizing without holding back to spare someone's feelings.
ズケズケと文句を言う
Intrusive Questions
Stepping into someone's privacy or asking personal questions without hesitation.
他人のプライバシーにズケズケ踏み込む
Usage Note
How to Use
ズケズケ（と） + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs related to speaking or intruding.
ズケズケものを言う
A set phrase meaning 'to speak one's mind bluntly/without reserve'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ズケズケと言う
to say bluntly
ズケズケとものを言う
to speak one's mind without reserve
ズケズケ聞く
to ask intrusively
ズケズケ踏み込む
to intrude without hesitation
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Giving criticism | Negative | Implies the speaker is harsh and lacks empathy for the person being criticized. |
| Asking about private matters | Negative | Shows a lack of respect for social boundaries, such as asking a stranger about their income. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずばずば ずばずば / similar | When someone cuts straight to the core of a matter. It can be positive (refreshing honesty). | Zukezuke focuses heavily on the tactlessness and disregard for feelings, while zubazuba focuses on the sharpness of the delivery. | ズバズバと意見を言う |
ずかずか ずかずか / similar | When physically barging into a room or space without permission. | Zukezuke is for verbal intrusion or blunt words; zukazuka is for physical movement. | 部屋にずかずか入る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to praise a friend for being 'honest'.
Zukezuke means tactless and rude. To praise honesty, use hakkiri (clear) or sunao (honest).
Using it to describe someone walking uninvited into a house.
For physical entry, use zukazuka. Zukezuke is for verbal boundary-crossing.
Examples
Examples
彼女は相手の欠点をズケズケと指摘する。
かのじょ は あいて の けってん を ズケズケ と してき する。
She bluntly points out other people's flaws.
LiteralDescribes delivering criticism without holding back.
初対面の人に年齢や年収をズケズケ聞くのは失礼だ。
しょたいめん の ひと に ねんれい や ねんしゅう を ズケズケ きく の は しつれい だ。
It is rude to ask someone you just met about their age or income so intrusively.
LiteralShows the violation of social boundaries by asking personal questions.
彼は上司に対してもズケズケものを言うので、周りはいつもヒヤヒヤしている。
かれ は じょうし に たいして も ズケズケ もの を いう ので、まわり は いつも ヒヤヒヤ している。
Because he speaks his mind bluntly even to his boss, the people around him are always on edge.
FigurativeIgnoring social hierarchy or politeness in a workplace.
私のプライベートな問題に、あまりズケズケ踏み込まないでほしい。
わたし の プライベート な もんだい に、あまり ズケズケ ふみこまない で ほしい。
I would like you to not intrude so bluntly into my private matters.
FigurativeInvasion of someone's abstract personal space or privacy.
傷つくようなことをズケズケ言われて、すっかり落ち込んでしまった。
きずつく よう な こと を ズケズケ いわれて、すっかり おちこんで しまった。
I got totally depressed after having hurtful things said to me so bluntly.
LiteralShows the negative impact of overly frank words.
Similar Words
ズバズバ
zubazuba
ズバズバ means to speak one's mind bluntly and directly without holding back. For sharp, fast, straightforward speaking, which can sometimes be positively refreshing.
ずかずか
zukazuka
Zukazuka is an adverb describing an action performed directly, without hesitation, and often in a rude or intrusive manner. For physically barging into a space without permission.
ズバリ
zubari
An adverb describing the act of speaking directly to the core of an issue without hesitation, or guessing something with perfect accuracy.
Questions
Is zukezuke used positively?
Rarely. It almost always describes someone who is overly blunt and insensitive.
Can I use it without the particle 'to'?
Yes, both 'zukezuke iu' and 'zukezuke to iu' are perfectly natural and mean the same thing.
What is the difference between zukezuke and zubari?
Zubari means hitting the nail on the head decisively. Zukezuke is about the continuous, tactless manner of speaking.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1006350
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- ズキズキ (zukizuki)
- Next entry
- ずっしり (zusshiri)