逆耳之言 nì ěr zhī yán

DEFINITIONS

  1. speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths
  2. home truths (that one does not want to hear)

CHARACTERS

逆 nì
HSK 6
disobey, rebel; rebel, traitor
耳 ěr
HSK 3
ear; merely, only; handle
之 zhī
HSK 4
marks preceding phrase as modifier of following phrase; it, him her, them; go to
言 yán
HSK 4
words, speech; speak, say