Using '솔직히 말씀드리면' (To be honest with you — Formal)
How to express honest opinions with sincerity and appropriate formality
Iru Helper Note
솔직히 말씀드리면 is the formal, humble way to say "honestly speaking." It uses 말씀드리다 (the humble form of "to speak/tell"), which signals respect toward the listener. Use it when sharing a genuine opinion in professional or formal contexts.
솔직히 말씀드리면, 이 방법이 더 효율적일 것 같아요.
(To be honest with you, I think this method might be more efficient.)
🤝 What You'll Learn Today
In formal Korean conversations — meetings, interviews, professional discussions — sharing your honest opinion requires a different register than casual speech. In this lesson you'll learn 솔직히 말씀드리면 and its family of expressions: when to use them, how to soften an honest statement without losing its impact, and how to recover gracefully if your honesty surprises someone. These phrases are essential for sounding both genuine and professionally appropriate in Korean.
📌 Honest Opinion Expressions (Formal Register)
Expression | Meaning | Register |
솔직히 말씀드리면 | To be honest with you (I → you) | Formal/humble |
솔직히 말씀드리자면 | If I'm being honest with you | Formal/humble |
솔직히 말하면 | Honestly speaking | Neutral |
솔직히 말해서 | To be honest | Neutral/informal |
진심으로 말씀드리면 | Speaking sincerely / With all sincerity | Formal/earnest |
사실대로 말씀드리면 | If I tell you the truth / Being straightforward | Formal |
실은 / 사실은 | Actually / To tell the truth | Semi-formal pivot |
개인적인 의견으로는 | In my personal opinion | Formal opinion frame |
제 솔직한 생각은요 | My honest thought is | Semi-formal |
오해 없이 들어주세요 | Please hear this without misunderstanding | Pre-softener |
불편하시면 말씀해 주세요 | Please tell me if it's uncomfortable | Post-softener |
건설적으로 말씀드리면 | To put it constructively | Professional pivot |
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 | I'm sorry if it was unpleasant | Post-apology |
참고로만 들어주세요 | Please take this just as a reference | Downplays the weight |
어디까지나 제 생각이에요 | This is purely my own view | Opinion disclaimer |
💡 Key pattern: 솔직히 말씀드리면 + [honest point] + ~것 같아요 + 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 = honest opinion with disclaimer
💬 Conversations in Action
In a professional review
팀장: 이 보고서 어떻게 생각해요? (What do you think of this report?)
지수: 솔직히 말씀드리면, 내용은 좋은데 구성이 조금 아쉬운 것 같아요. 건설적으로 말씀드리면, 결론을 앞으로 옮기면 더 읽기 편할 것 같아요. 어디까지나 제 생각이에요. (To be honest with you, the content is good but I feel the structure is a little lacking. To put it constructively, I think it would be easier to read if the conclusion were moved to the front. This is purely my own view.)
팀장: 아, 좋은 의견이에요. (Oh, that's a good point.)
Giving feedback carefully
민준: 제 발표 어땠어요? (How was my presentation?)
혜진: 솔직히 말씀드리자면, 내용은 탄탄한데 목소리가 조금 작았어요. 오해 없이 들어주세요 — 잘 준비하셨어요. (If I'm being honest, the content was solid but your voice was a little soft. Please hear this without misunderstanding — you prepared well.)
🌏 Cultural Note — Formality in Korean Honesty
Korean professional culture values honesty but equally values face-saving (체면). Blunt honesty without framing can cause loss of 체면 for the listener. The solution is not to be less honest, but to frame honesty correctly: use 솔직히 말씀드리면 to signal sincerity, follow with ~것 같아요 (I think / it seems) to soften the assertion, and close with 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 (this is purely my view) to give the listener room to disagree without shame. Honesty + respect for 체면 = the gold standard in Korean professional communication.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Practice using formal honesty expressions. Say each sentence out loud.
A. Open a formal honest opinion in a meeting.
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말씀드리면, 이 방법이 더 효율적일 것 같아요. (To be honest with you, I think this method might be more efficient.)
</summary>
B. Use the softer conditional form.
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말씀드리자면, 제 생각은 조금 달라요. (If I'm being honest with you, my view is a little different.)
</summary>
C. Signal you're being genuinely sincere.
<summary>Answer
진심으로 말씀드리면, 정말 잘 하셨어요. (Speaking sincerely, you really did well.)
</summary>
D. Frame it as your personal opinion only.
<summary>Answer
개인적인 의견으로는, 이쪽이 더 나을 것 같아요. (In my personal opinion, I think this might be better.)
</summary>
E. Pre-soften before saying something sensitive.
<summary>Answer
오해 없이 들어주세요 — 솔직히 말씀드리면... (Please hear this without misunderstanding — to be honest with you...)
</summary>
F. Add a constructive framing before feedback.
<summary>Answer
건설적으로 말씀드리면, 이 부분을 조금 수정하면 좋을 것 같아요. (To put it constructively, I think it would be good to revise this section a little.)
</summary>
G. Close your honest statement with a disclaimer.
<summary>Answer
어디까지나 제 생각이에요. 참고로만 들어주세요. (This is purely my own view. Please take it just as a reference.)
</summary>
H. Apologize if your honest feedback was unwelcome.
<summary>Answer
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요. 더 잘 하시길 바라는 마음이었어요. (I'm sorry if it was unpleasant. I meant it in hopes that you'd do even better.)
</summary>
I. Use the neutral register for a semi-formal situation.
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말하면, 이게 더 좋을 것 같아요. (Honestly speaking, I think this might be better.)
</summary>
J. Pivot gently to an honest point mid-conversation.
<summary>Answer
실은, 저도 처음엔 그렇게 생각하지 않았어요. (Actually, I didn't think so at first either.)
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Key |
솔직히 말씀드리면 | Formal honest opener |
솔직히 말씀드리자면 | Softer conditional form |
진심으로 말씀드리면 | With sincerity |
개인적인 의견으로는 | In my personal opinion |
오해 없이 들어주세요 | Pre-soften |
건설적으로 말씀드리면 | Constructive framing |
어디까지나 제 생각이에요 | Opinion disclaimer |
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 | Post-apology |
참고로만 들어주세요 | Downplay weight |
실은 / 사실은 | Pivot: actually |
Register Tip
말씀드리다 vs. 말하다: 말씀드리다 is the humble/formal version — you're "humbly speaking" to someone of higher status or in a formal context. 말하다 is neutral. Use 말씀드리다 in professional settings, meetings, or with people you should show respect to. Use 말하다 with peers or in casual contexts.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Think of three honest opinions you've had recently about anything — a product, a decision, a plan. Practice expressing each one using the full arc: 솔직히 말씀드리면 + your point + 것 같아요 + 어디까지나 제 생각이에요. Say them out loud in a professional tone as if speaking to a colleague.
📦 Practice Hub — Formal Honest Opinions
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
Pick the most natural expression for each formal context.
A. You're in a meeting and want to give your honest opinion formally.
(1) 솔직히 말해서 (2) 솔직히 말씀드리면 (3) 제 생각은 (4) 사실은
<summary>Answer
(2) 솔직히 말씀드리면 — uses 말씀드리다 (humble form), appropriate for formal/professional settings. (1) is neutral-casual; (3) and (4) are neutral pivots.
B. You want to soften an honest statement before saying it.
(1) 마지막으로 (2) 오해 없이 들어주세요 (3) 건설적으로 말씀드리면 (4) 솔직히 말씀드리자면
<summary>Answer
(2) 오해 없이 들어주세요 — "please hear this without misunderstanding" is the pre-softener that protects the listener before you share honest feedback.
C. You want to frame critical feedback as constructive rather than negative.
(1) 솔직히 말씀드리면 (2) 건설적으로 말씀드리면 (3) 실은 (4) 진심으로 말씀드리면
<summary>Answer
(2) 건설적으로 말씀드리면 — "to put it constructively" signals you're offering feedback to help, not to criticize.
D. You want to make clear your honest point is just your personal view.
(1) 오해 없이 들어주세요 (2) 참고로만 들어주세요 (3) 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 (4) 솔직히 말씀드리면
<summary>Answer
(3) 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 — "this is purely my own view" is the opinion disclaimer. (2) 참고로만 들어주세요 downplays weight further; (3) is the more complete disclaimer.
E. You want to apologize in case your honest feedback was unwelcome.
(1) 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 (2) 건설적으로 말씀드리면 (3) 거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 (4) 솔직히 말씀드리자면
<summary>Answer
(3) 거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 — "I'm sorry if it was unpleasant" is the post-apology for potentially unwelcome honesty.
F. You want to sincerely and earnestly express an opinion.
(1) 솔직히 말해서 (2) 진심으로 말씀드리면 (3) 사실대로 말씀드리면 (4) 개인적인 의견으로는
<summary>Answer
(2) 진심으로 말씀드리면 — "speaking sincerely / with all sincerity" adds earnestness beyond just honesty. Use when the point is emotionally meaningful, not just factually direct.
G. You want to say "actually" to pivot to a real honest point mid-conversation.
(1) 건설적으로 말씀드리면 (2) 오해 없이 (3) 실은 / 사실은 (4) 개인적인 의견으로는
<summary>Answer
(3) 실은 / 사실은 — both mean "actually / to tell the truth" and are the natural mid-conversation honest pivot. They're semi-formal and work in most contexts.
H. You want to frame your opinion as personal, not authoritative.
(1) 사실대로 말씀드리면 (2) 개인적인 의견으로는 (3) 솔직히 말씀드리면 (4) 건설적으로
<summary>Answer
(2) 개인적인 의견으로는 — "in my personal opinion" explicitly marks the opinion as personal and non-authoritative.
I. You want to tell someone not to take your feedback too heavily.
(1) 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 (2) 거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 (3) 참고로만 들어주세요 (4) 오해 없이 들어주세요
<summary>Answer
(3) 참고로만 들어주세요 — "please take this just as a reference" downplays the weight of what you're about to say, making it easier to receive.
J. You want to use the neutral register for a semi-formal honest opinion.
(1) 솔직히 말씀드리면 (2) 솔직히 말하면 (3) 진심으로 말씀드리면 (4) 사실대로 말씀드리면
<summary>Answer
(2) 솔직히 말하면 — "honestly speaking" is the neutral form, appropriate for peers or semi-formal contexts. The 말씀드리다 forms are more formal/humble.
Quick Reference
Expression | Register/Use |
솔직히 말씀드리면 | Formal honest opener |
솔직히 말씀드리자면 | Softer conditional form |
솔직히 말하면 | Neutral form |
진심으로 말씀드리면 | Earnest / sincere |
오해 없이 들어주세요 | Pre-soften |
건설적으로 말씀드리면 | Constructive framing |
어디까지나 제 생각이에요 | Opinion disclaimer |
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 | Post-apology |
참고로만 들어주세요 | Downplay weight |
실은 / 사실은 | Honest pivot: actually |
Pitfall
Don't skip the disclaimer when sharing honest feedback in formal Korean settings. Saying 솔직히 말씀드리면 [critique] and stopping there can feel too blunt. Always close with 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 or 참고로만 들어주세요 to protect the listener's face (체면) and keep the tone collaborative.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each formal honest expression naturally.
A. 솔직히 말씀드리면, 이 방법이 조금 비효율적인 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
To be honest with you, I think this method is a little inefficient.
B. 솔직히 말씀드리자면, 제 생각은 조금 달라요.
<summary>Answer
If I'm being honest with you, my view is a little different.
C. 오해 없이 들어주세요 — 더 잘 하시길 바라는 마음이에요.
<summary>Answer
Please hear this without misunderstanding — I say it because I hope you'll do even better.
D. 건설적으로 말씀드리면, 결론을 앞으로 옮기면 더 읽기 편할 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
To put it constructively, I think it would be easier to read if the conclusion were moved to the front.
E. 어디까지나 제 생각이에요. 참고로만 들어주세요.
<summary>Answer
This is purely my own view. Please take it just as a reference.
F. 진심으로 말씀드리면, 정말 잘 하셨어요.
<summary>Answer
Speaking sincerely, you really did well.
G. 거슬리셨다면 정말 죄송해요. 그런 의도가 아니었어요.
<summary>Answer
I'm truly sorry if it was unpleasant. That wasn't my intention.
H. 개인적인 의견으로는, 이쪽이 더 효율적인 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
In my personal opinion, I think this is more efficient.
I. 실은, 저도 처음에는 그렇게 생각하지 않았어요.
<summary>Answer
Actually, I didn't think so at first either.
J. 사실대로 말씀드리면, 준비가 조금 부족한 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
Being straightforward with you, I think the preparation is a little lacking.
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word | Meaning |
비효율적이다 | To be inefficient |
건설적으로 | Constructively |
오해 없이 | Without misunderstanding |
어디까지나 | Purely / to the last |
참고로만 | Just as a reference |
거슬리다 | To be unpleasant / grating |
의도 | Intention |
효율적이다 | To be efficient |
준비가 부족하다 | Preparation is lacking |
말씀드리다 | To speak (humble form) |
Grammar Tip
솔직히 말씀드리면 vs. 솔직히 말씀드리자면: both mean "to be honest with you," but ~자면 adds a conditional softening ("if I were to be honest..."). Use the ~자면 form when the feedback is particularly sensitive — it creates slightly more distance and signals "I'm choosing to share this carefully."
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase.
A. 솔직히 ___씀드리면, 이게 더 좋을 것 같아요. (formal: humbly speak)
<summary>Answer
말 — 솔직히 말씀드리면.
B. 오해 ___ 이 들어주세요. (without)
<summary>Answer
없 — 오해 없이 들어주세요.
C. ___설적으로 말씀드리면, 이 부분을 수정하면 좋을 것 같아요. (constructively)
<summary>Answer
건 — 건설적으로 말씀드리면.
D. 어디까지나 제 ___이에요. (view/thought)
<summary>Answer
생각 — 어디까지나 제 생각이에요.
E. 거슬리셨다면 ___해요. (I'm sorry)
<summary>Answer
죄송 — 거슬리셨다면 죄송해요.
F. ___심으로 말씀드리면, 정말 잘 하셨어요. (sincerely)
<summary>Answer
진 — 진심으로 말씀드리면.
G. 개인적인 ___으로는, 이쪽이 더 나은 것 같아요. (opinion)
<summary>Answer
의견 — 개인적인 의견으로는.
H. ___로만 들어주세요. (just as reference)
<summary>Answer
참고 — 참고로만 들어주세요.
I. 사실___로 말씀드리면, 준비가 부족한 것 같아요. (straightforwardly)
<summary>Answer
대 — 사실대로 말씀드리면.
J. 솔직히 말씀드리___면, 제 생각은 달라요. (softer conditional)
<summary>Answer
자 — 솔직히 말씀드리자면.
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use |
솔직히 말씀드리면 | Formal honest opener |
솔직히 말씀드리자면 | Softer conditional form |
오해 없이 들어주세요 | Pre-soften |
건설적으로 말씀드리면 | Constructive frame |
진심으로 말씀드리면 | Earnest opener |
어디까지나 제 생각이에요 | Disclaimer |
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 | Post-apology |
개인적인 의견으로는 | Personal opinion |
참고로만 들어주세요 | Downplay |
실은 / 사실은 | Honest pivot |
Production Tip
The full formal honesty arc: pre-soften (오해 없이 들어주세요) → open (솔직히 말씀드리면) → frame (건설적으로) → your honest point → disclaimer (어디까지나 제 생각이에요). When the situation is sensitive, use all five parts. For lighter contexts, drop the pre-soften and just use the opener + disclaimer.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Complete the formal honest response in each exchange.
A. A: 이 보고서 어떻게 생각해요? / B: 솔직히 ___씀드리면, 내용은 좋은데 구성이 아쉬운 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말씀드리면, 내용은 좋은데 구성이 아쉬운 것 같아요. (To be honest with you, the content is good but the structure is a little lacking.)
B. A: 어떤 부분이요? / B: ___설적으로 말씀드리면, 결론을 앞에 넣으면 더 읽기 좋을 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
건설적으로 말씀드리면, 결론을 앞에 넣으면 더 읽기 좋을 것 같아요. (To put it constructively, I think it would be better to put the conclusion up front.)
C. A: 발표 잘 했나요? / B: 오해 ___ 이 들어주세요 — 솔직히 말씀드리자면, 목소리가 좀 작았어요.
<summary>Answer
오해 없이 들어주세요 — 솔직히 말씀드리자면, 목소리가 좀 작았어요. (Please hear this without misunderstanding — if I'm being honest, your voice was a little soft.)
D. A: 불편하셨어요? / B: 아니에요. 어디까지나 제 ___이에요.
<summary>Answer
아니에요. 어디까지나 제 생각이에요. (No, not at all. This is purely my own view.)
E. A: 솔직히 어때요? / B: 솔직히 말씀드리면, ___적인 의견으로는 이쪽이 더 나을 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말씀드리면, 개인적인 의견으로는 이쪽이 더 나을 것 같아요. (To be honest with you, in my personal opinion, I think this might be better.)
F. A: 불편하셨다면요? / B: 거슬리셨다면 ___해요. 더 잘 되셨으면 해서요.
<summary>Answer
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요. 더 잘 되셨으면 해서요. (I'm sorry if it was unpleasant. I said it because I hope things go better for you.)
G. A: 그냥 솔직하게 말해줘요. / B: 그럼 ___으로 말씀드리면, 준비가 조금 더 필요한 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
그럼 솔직하게 말씀드리면, 준비가 조금 더 필요한 것 같아요. (Then to be honest, I think a little more preparation is needed.)
H. A: 진짜로요? / B: 네, 진___으로 말씀드리는 거예요. 더 잘 될 거예요.
<summary>Answer
네, 진심으로 말씀드리는 거예요. 더 잘 될 거예요. (Yes, I'm saying this sincerely. It will get better.)
I. A: 참고로만 들을게요. / B: 감사해요. ___로만 들어주시면 돼요.
<summary>Answer
감사해요. 참고로만 들어주시면 돼요. (Thank you. You just need to take it as a reference.)
J. A: 실은 저도 그렇게 생각해요. / B: 아, ___! 그럼 같은 생각이네요.
<summary>Answer
아, 정말요! 그럼 같은 생각이네요. (Oh, really! Then we think the same way.)
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Use |
솔직히 말씀드리면 | Formal honest opener |
건설적으로 말씀드리면 | Constructive frame |
오해 없이 들어주세요 | Pre-soften |
어디까지나 제 생각이에요 | Disclaimer |
거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 | Post-apology |
진심으로 말씀드리는 거예요 | I'm saying this sincerely |
개인적인 의견으로는 | Personal opinion |
참고로만 들어주시면 돼요 | Just take it as reference |
더 잘 되셨으면 해서요 | I said it hoping you'd do better |
같은 생각이네요 | We think the same |
Conversation Tip
In Korean professional settings, feedback lands better when you end with warmth. After your honest opinion + disclaimer, add 더 잘 되셨으면 해서요 (I said it because I hope things go better for you) or 잘 될 거예요 (it will be fine). This shows your honesty comes from care, not criticism, which makes the feedback far easier to receive.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Practice giving formal honest opinions out loud.
A. Give a formal honest opinion about a project plan that could be improved.
<summary>Sample Answer
솔직히 말씀드리면, 이 계획은 내용은 좋은데 일정이 좀 빡빡한 것 같아요. 건설적으로 말씀드리면, 일정을 조금 여유 있게 수정하면 더 좋을 것 같아요. 어디까지나 제 생각이에요. (To be honest with you, this plan has good content but the timeline seems a bit tight. To put it constructively, I think it would be better to make the schedule a little more relaxed. This is purely my own view.)
B. Pre-soften before giving honest feedback on someone's presentation.
<summary>Sample Answer
오해 없이 들어주세요 — 솔직히 말씀드리자면, 내용은 탄탄한데 목소리가 좀 더 크면 좋겠어요. 참고로만 들어주세요. (Please hear this without misunderstanding — if I'm being honest, the content is solid but it would be better if your voice were a bit louder. Please take this just as a reference.)
C. Apologize after sharing honest feedback in a formal context.
<summary>Sample Answer
거슬리셨다면 정말 죄송해요. 그런 의도가 전혀 아니었어요. 더 잘 되셨으면 하는 마음에서 말씀드린 거예요. (I'm truly sorry if it was unpleasant. That was absolutely not my intention. I said it in hopes that things would go better for you.)
D. Share a sincere, earnest opinion about a decision someone made.
<summary>Sample Answer
진심으로 말씀드리면, 이번 결정은 정말 잘 하셨어요. 어디까지나 제 생각이지만, 이게 가장 현명한 선택인 것 같아요. (Speaking sincerely, I think you made a really good decision this time. This is purely my own view, but I think this is the wisest choice.)
E. Run the full formal honesty arc from opener to post-disclaimer.
<summary>Sample Answer
오해 없이 들어주세요. 솔직히 말씀드리면, 이 방안은 창의적인데 현실적으로 실행이 어려울 것 같아요. 건설적으로 말씀드리자면, 규모를 조금 줄이면 더 실현 가능할 것 같아요. 어디까지나 제 개인적인 의견이에요. 거슬리셨다면 죄송해요. (Please hear this without misunderstanding. To be honest with you, this plan is creative but might be difficult to execute realistically. To put it constructively, I think scaling it down a little would make it more achievable. This is purely my personal opinion. I'm sorry if it was unpleasant.)
Sentence Starters
Part | Expression |
Pre-soften | 오해 없이 들어주세요 |
Open | 솔직히 말씀드리면 |
Softer open | 솔직히 말씀드리자면 |
Frame | 건설적으로 말씀드리면 |
Sincere | 진심으로 말씀드리면 |
Close | 어디까지나 제 생각이에요 |
Downplay | 참고로만 들어주세요 |
Apologize | 거슬리셨다면 죄송해요 |
Warm close | 더 잘 되셨으면 해서요 |
Pivot | 실은 / 사실은 |
Speaking Challenge
Practice a full professional feedback exchange: give honest feedback using 솔직히 말씀드리면, frame it with 건설적으로, close with the disclaimer, and end warmly with 더 잘 되셨으면 해서요. Time it — a polished honest opinion should take 20-30 seconds in Korean.
솔직함도 방법이 있어야 진심으로 전달돼요. ✨
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