直
Meanings
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective, noun, adverb
direct; directly; without an intermediary
Used for direct connection, direct sale, or going straight to the relevant person. Standalone adverbial 直で is common in practical speech and business-like contexts, though 直接 is the fuller general word.
Because it is sold directly by the manufacturer, the price is low.
I checked that matter directly with the person in charge.
honest; frank; straightforward; candid
Dated adjectival use for an upright, frank, or candid character or manner. In modern Japanese, 正直 or 率直 is usually clearer.
In older writing, 直な気性 can describe an honest and frank disposition.
easygoing; lighthearted; friendly
Dated personality description for someone open, relaxed, or easy to get along with. Modern Japanese more naturally uses words such as 気さく or 打ち解けた.
In an older sense, 直な人 can mean a friendly, easygoing person.
Limited noun use connected with overnight duty or watch; in modern wording 宿直 or 当直 is much clearer than standalone 直.
See also: 宿直
In limited usage, 直 refers to night duty, that is, keeping watch overnight.
factory shift; being on duty
Work-schedule term, especially in factory contexts. Often appears in compounds or set expressions such as 一直, 二直, 三直, and 三直交替制 rather than as a broad everyday word for any shift.
The factory runs twenty-four hours a day on a three-shift system.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉に直で行くto go straight to a place, without stopping elsewhere
After the meeting, I went straight to the station.
- 〈人〉と直で話すto talk with someone directly, without going through an intermediary
It was arranged that I would talk directly with the person in charge at the client company.
- 〈物〉を直で買うto buy something directly from the source, without a middleman
I buy vegetables directly from the farmers.
Expressions
- 率直に言ってfrankly speaking; to be honest