When do Koreans say "to be honest / frankly speaking"?

"to be honest / frankly speaking" is used in neutral situations in Korean conversation and K-drama scenes.

What Does "solkkamal (솔까말)" Mean in Korean?

Q: What does "to be honest / frankly speaking" really mean in Korean?

This is a **highly casual and informal** expression. It's typically used among very close friends or peers, and sometimes in online communities. Using it with someone older, a superior, or in a formal setting would be considered rude or disrespectful. It signals that you're about to say something direct and unfiltered, often implying that you might hold back otherwise.

Meaning

솔까말

solkkamal

to be honest / frankly speaking

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What Koreans really mean

This is a highly casual and informal expression. It's typically used among very close friends or peers, and sometimes in online communities. Using it with someone older, a superior, or in a formal setting would be considered rude or disrespectful. It signals that you're about to say something direct and unfiltered, often implying that you might hold back otherwise.

💬 Used in real life

• Said when a friend asks for an opinion on something and you want to give a candid, unfiltered response.

• Used when someone wants to share an unpopular or potentially critical opinion with a close friend, prefacing it to signal honesty.