Translation guide
The English word 'straight' has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: describing something not curved, moving directly, being honest, and more.
Describing a line, road, hair, etc. that has no curves or bends.
The most common and versatile word for 'straight' in the physical sense. Can be used for roads, lines, posture, etc.
This road is straight.
Please draw a straight line.
Emphasizes a perfectly straight line, often used for roads, paths, or arrangements.
The road stretches out in a straight line.
Loanword from English, often used for hair (straight hair) or in sports (straight punch).
I want to have straight hair.
Going somewhere without stopping or turning aside.
Also used for 'directly' when talking about movement. Often combined with verbs like 行く (go) or 帰る (return).
I went straight home from school.
Means 'going directly' without stopping, often used for transportation (direct train, bus).
Sometimes used in phrases like ストレートに言う (say straight out), but まっすぐ is more common for physical direction.
Saying something clearly without hiding your feelings or being indirect.
The standard word for 'frank' or 'straightforward' in speech or writing. Often used as 率直に (frankly).
Please give me your straight opinion.
Commonly used for 'straight' in the sense of direct, blunt, or without sugarcoating. Often used as ストレートに言う.
Means 'blatant' or 'outright', often with a negative nuance. Not exactly 'straight', but used for something that is openly obvious.
Doing something right away, without pausing.
The most common word for 'immediately' or 'straight away'. Can be used in many contexts.
I'll be straight back.
He gave a straight answer.
Formal word for 'immediately', often used in official announcements or instructions.
Means 'on the spot' or 'instantly', emphasizing no delay at all.
He agreed straight off.
Doing something for a period of time without stopping.
Used for consecutive events or continuous actions. Often combined with counters (e.g., 3日連続 for 3 days straight).
He worked three days straight.
Colloquial, emphasizes doing something non-stop. Often used with time periods.
Means 'all the way' or 'continuously', but not exactly 'straight' in the sense of consecutive. Use 連続 for counting.
Describing a room, desk, or situation that is organized and clean.
Referring to sexual orientation.
Formal term for 'heterosexual person'. In casual contexts, the loanword ストレート is more common.
He is straight.
Commonly used in casual conversation to mean 'heterosexual'.
Slang term used primarily in LGBTQ+ contexts to refer to straight people. Can be considered informal or insider language.
Alcoholic drink served without mixer or water.
While ストレート is a common loanword, it's not used for all meanings of 'straight'. For physical straightness (roads, lines), use まっすぐ. For honesty, 率直 is often better. ストレート is best for hair, drinks, and casual 'direct' speech.
まっすぐ is the general word for 'straight'. 一直線 emphasizes a perfectly straight line, often used for things that are strikingly straight, like a road stretching to the horizon. まっすぐ can also mean 'directly' (go straight home), while 一直線 is more about the shape.
Go straight and turn right at the next corner.
新宿へ直行のバスはありますか？
Is there a bus that goes straight to Shinjuku?
To put it straight, that's impossible.
To be straight with you, I don't think that plan will work.
He always says things straight.
それはあからさまな嘘だ。
That's a straight-up lie.
直ちに避難してください。
Please evacuate straight away.
a straight drama series (serial drama)
ぶっ通しで12時間寝た。
I slept 12 hours straight.
I've been standing straight since morning.
彼の机はいつも整然としている。
His desk is always straight.
She's straight.
That person is straight, so be careful.
Unpasteurized sake is fruity.
a perfectly straight road