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Do you always say “正直(に言うと)”? I think that Japanese people use “実は“ rather than “正直“.
[shojiki(ni iuto)][jitsu wa]
“正直(に言うと)” and “実は” mean ”to be honest”. They are used to tell the truth, but there is a slight nuance.
“正直(に言うと)” is often used to say your negative feelings that are hard to say for a serious topic. On the other hand, “実は” is more casually used and it is often used to say both positive and negative facts.
If you're interested in how to use “正直(に言うと)”, please click HERE
Meg and her boyfirned are talking about her headphones.
- Meg: ヘッドフォンが壊れたみたい。左のヘッドフォンから、何も聞こえない。
It seems like my headphones were broken. I can’t hear any sound from the left of my headphones. - Tom: 本当？
Really? - Meg: 最後に使ったのは誰？
Who used it last? - Tom: んー...実は(or正直に言うと)、昨日の夜、お風呂で使った。俺が壊したかも...
Well...as a matter of fact, I used them in the bathroom last night. I maybe broke them...
→ You can use both of them, but “実は” is more natural in this context because you just mentioned the fact that you used and broke her headphones.
Meg is talking to Amy about her boyfriend.
- Meg: 日曜、家に来ない？ケーキを焼こうかな。
Do you want to come to my place on Sunday? I am thinking of baking a cake. - Amy: いいね。ケンとデートしないの？
Sounds nice. Weren't you supposed to go out with Ken? - Meg: 正直に言うと(or実は)、彼と別れようと思っているんだ。彼はいつも私のメールを無視するし、私に興味がないんだもん。
To tell you the truth, I’m going to break up with him. He often ignores my messages. I feel that he is not interested in me.
→ You can use both of them, but “正直に言うと“ is more natural in this context because this topic is serious and you showed your true feelings.
Meg and Amy are working overtime.
- Meg: もう8時だね。何時頃、作業は終わりそう？
It’s already 8 p.m. When do you think you’ll finish work? - Amy: あと一時間くらい。
I’m going to be done with my tasks in an hour. - Meg: そっか。チョコレートバー食べる？
All right. Do you want to eat this chocolate bar? - Amy: ありがとう！実は(or正直に言うと)、お腹が空いていて、お菓子を買いにコンビニに行こうか迷っていたところ。
Thanks! To be honest, I’m very hungry and I was thinking of going to the convenience store to buy some snacks.
→ You can use both of them, but “実は” is more natural in this context because what you mentioned is just a fact and it is not your negative feeling.
Meg is meeting a new colleague who is from the U.S.
- Meg: メグです。来週(マイクが)アサインされるプロジェクトで働いています。はじめまして。
I’m Meg. I’m working on the same project that you will be assigned next week. Nice to meet you. - Mike: マイクです。よろしくお願いします。
I’Mike. Nice to meet you, too. - Meg: 英語が話せる人がほとんどいないんです。だから、あなたが来て下さり、心強いです。
There are a few members who can speak English. You will support them, which is really reassuring. - Mike: あの...アメリカ人に見えるかもしれませんが、実は(or正直に言うと)日本で育ったので、英語は得意じゃないんです。
Well...I look like an American, but, in fact, I’m not good at speaking English because I was raised in Japan.
→ You can use both of them, but “実は” is more natural in this context because what you mentioned is just a fact and it is not your negative feeling.
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