ずばり

ず

ば

り

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

Used when someone acts or speaks without hesitation, reservation, or beating around the bush. Often implies a direct, sometimes blunt, approach.

Indicates that something hits the mark perfectly, often used when a guess, answer, or description is spot-on.

ズバリ〈事こと〉を言いうto say something straight out, without mincing words
彼かれはずばり本ほん音ねを言いった。
He said his true feelings straight out.
ズバリ的てき中ちゅうするto hit the mark exactly (a guess, prediction, etc.)
彼かれの予よ想そうはずばり的てき中ちゅうした。
His prediction hit the mark exactly.
ズバリ〈物もの〉だto state plainly that it is precisely X
犯はん人にんはずばり彼かれだ。
The culprit is precisely him.

はっきりN4sense 1
はっきり emphasizes clarity of perception or expression, while ずばり emphasizes bold, unhesitating directness in speech or action.
ぴったりN3sense 2
ぴったり describes a perfect fit or match (like size or timing), while ずばり describes a guess, answer, or remark hitting the exact truth.
きっぱりN2sense 1
きっぱり is used especially for firmly refusing or denying something, whereas ずばり is broader and describes any blunt, direct way of speaking or acting.
的てき確かくN2sense 2
的確 describes something as accurate or appropriate in a measured way, while ずばり adds a vivid sense of striking the target precisely and instantly.

Show 2 more

率そっ直ちょくN2sense 1
率直 is a more formal, neutral word for being frank or candid, while ずばり carries a punchy, on-the-mark nuance often used in casual speech.
ズケズケN1
ずばり means to hit the point directly and can be praised for accuracy, whereas ズケズケ usually carries a negative sense of tactless bluntness.

遠とお回まわしN1sense 1
遠回し means indirect or roundabout, the opposite of ずばり's blunt, straight-to-the-point manner of speaking.

ずばりUsage45%
Hiragana spelling is the most common written form.
ズバリUsage55%
Katakana spelling is also common, often used for emphasis or in informal writing.

Onomatopoeic or mimetic word; the exact derivation is uncertain, but it evokes the sound of something being cut or pierced decisively.