real talk

Meaning

A phrase used to introduce a very honest, serious, or direct statement. It signals that the speaker is dropping any jokes, exaggeration, or politeness to say what they truly think.

Examples

• Real talk, I don't think we can finish this project by tomorrow.

  Real talk, I don't think we can finish this project by tomorrow.

• Can we have some real talk for a second? I'm worried about your health.

  Can we have some real talk for a second? I'm worried about your health.

• Real talk, that was the best burger I've ever had in my life.

  Real talk, that was the best burger I've ever had in my life.

• No jokes, this is real talk: you need to start saving money.

  No jokes, this is real talk: you need to start saving money.

• I appreciate your real talk; most people just tell me what I want to hear.

  I appreciate your real talk; most people just tell me what I want to hear.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's make a real talk about our future.

  ✓ Let's have some real talk about our future.

  'Real talk' is an uncountable noun phrase. We 'have real talk' or use it as an exclamation, rather than 'making a real talk'.

• ✗ Real talkly, I don't like your new haircut.

  ✓ Real talk, I don't like your new haircut.

  'Real talk' functions as an adverbial phrase at the start of a sentence. Do not add the adverb suffix '-ly' to it.

Related Expressions

Practice

• ___, I don't think this plan is going to work.

  💡 Use this to show you are being completely honest and serious.

  Show answer

  Real talk

• I need some ___ from you right now—do you actually want to go?

  💡 Honest and direct conversation.

  Show answer

  real talk