What does 直 mean in Japanese?
直 carries two connected meanings: to fix or correct (something is restored to its proper state) and direct or straight (without deviation). The core intransitive/transitive verb pair — 直る (naoru, to be fixed) and 直す (naosu, to fix something) — is essential N4 vocabulary for describing repairs, corrections, and improvements.
直す is unusually versatile: it means repair a broken object, correct a mistake, redo something properly, and even rewrite. The specific meaning shifts with context, making it one of the most broadly useful verbs at this level.
Reading
On’yomi: チョク (choku), ジキ (jiki)
Kun’yomi: なお-る (nao-ru), なお-す (nao-su), ただ-ちに (tada-chini)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 直 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | fix, correct; direct |
| Stroke Count | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
直る (intransitive): something is repaired or recovers on its own — 壊れたパソコンが直った (the broken computer got fixed), エラーが直った (the error was resolved). 直す (transitive): you fix or correct something — パソコンを直す (fix the computer), 間違いを直す (correct the mistake), 文章を直す (revise the text). The on’yomi チョク appears in 直接 (chokusetsu, direct) and 直前 (chokuzen, just before); ジキ appears in 正直 (shoujiki, honest).
Common Words
- 直る（なおる / naoru） — to be fixed, to return to working order (intransitive)
- 直す（なおす / naosu） — to fix, to correct, to redo (transitive)
- 正直（しょうじき / shoujiki） — honest, frank, straightforward
- 直接（ちょくせつ / chokusetsu） — direct, directly
- やり直す（やりなおす / yarinaosu） — to redo, to do over from scratch
- 直前（ちょくぜん / chokuzen） — just before, immediately before
Example Sentences
-
パソコンが直りました。
ぱそこんがなおりました。 / Pasokon ga naorimashita.
The computer has been fixed.
-
間違いを直してください。
まちがいをなおしてください。 / Machigai o naoshite kudasai.
Please correct the mistake.
-
正直に話してくれてありがとう。
しょうじきにはなしてくれてありがとう。 / Shoujiki ni hanashite kurete arigatou.
Thank you for speaking honestly.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The 直る / 直す pair follows the intransitive/transitive pattern: 直る = it gets fixed; 直す = you fix it. 故障が直る (the malfunction is fixed, it recovers) vs 故障を直す (fix the malfunction, you do it). This pair parallels 壊れる/壊す (break, intransitive/transitive) — knowing both pairs lets you describe the full damage-repair cycle.
直す has three overlapping meanings learners should know:
1. Repair a broken object: 靴を直す (repair shoes), パソコンを直す (fix a computer)
2. Correct an error: 間違いを直す (correct a mistake), 文章を直す (fix/edit the writing)
3. Redo something properly: 書き直す (rewrite), やり直す (redo from scratch)
The compound forms 書き直す and やり直す (verb-stem + 直す) are especially productive and frequent at N4.
正直 (shoujiki, honest/frank) = 正 (correct) + 直 (straight). 正直に言う (to speak honestly), 正直なところ (to be frank, honestly speaking). This is one of the most common words for describing an honest person or a candid remark. Note the reading ジキ (not チョク) for 直 in this compound.
直接 (chokusetsu, direct/directly) is the everyday word for doing something without intermediaries: 直接話す (talk directly), 直接確認する (confirm directly). Its opposite is 間接 (kansetsu, indirect). 直前 (chokuzen, just before) and 直後 (chokugo, just after) are useful time expressions: 試験直前 (just before the exam), 到着直後 (just after arriving).
Summary
直 means fix/correct (直る/直す, intransitive/transitive pair) and direct/straight (直接, 直前). Key points: 直す covers repair, correction, and redo; 書き直す and やり直す are high-frequency compound verbs; 正直 (honest) uses the ジキ reading.