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.
この道はまっすぐです。
This road is straight.
まっすぐな線を引いてください。
Please draw a straight line.
Emphasizes a perfectly straight line, often used for roads, paths, or arrangements.
その道路は一直線に伸びている。
The road stretches out in a straight line.
Loanword from English, often used for hair (straight hair) or in sports (straight punch).
ストレートヘアにしたい。
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).
学校からまっすぐ家に帰った。
I went straight home from school.
まっすぐ行って、次の角を右に曲がってください。
Go straight and turn right at the next corner.
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).
率直な意見を聞かせてください。
Please give me your straight opinion.
率直に言って、その計画はうまくいかないと思う。
To be straight with you, I don't think that plan will work.
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.
すぐ戻ります。
I'll be straight back.
彼はすぐに答えを出した。
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.
彼は即座に承諾した。
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).
彼は3日連続で働いた。
He worked three days straight.
連続ドラマ
a straight drama series (serial drama)
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.
Adverb meaning 'properly', 'neatly', or 'in order'. Often used for tidying up.
部屋をきちんと片付けてください。
Please straighten up your room.
Means 'orderly' or 'methodical', often used for well-organized things.
Referring to sexual orientation.
Formal term for 'heterosexual person'. In casual contexts, the loanword ストレート is more common.
彼は異性愛者だ。
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.
Used for whiskey or other spirits served neat. Often said as ストレートで.
ウイスキーをストレートでください。
I'll have a straight whiskey.
Means 'pure' or 'undiluted', but usually for sake. 生酒 is unpasteurized sake, not exactly 'straight'.
生酒はフルーティーだ。
Unpasteurized sake is fruity.
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.
新宿へ直行のバスはありますか？
Is there a bus that goes straight to Shinjuku?
ストレートに言うと、それは無理だ。
To put it straight, that's impossible.
彼はいつもストレートにものを言う。
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.
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.
彼女はストレートだよ。
She's straight.
That person is straight, so be careful.