Saying openly what you think
In “Lina nimmt kein Blatt vor den Mund”, the focus is on how Lina speaks. The next sentence can show exactly which opinion she expressed frankly.
The idiom is especially useful when a topic invites criticism, an awkward question, or a frank assessment. It leaves open whether the opinion itself is correct.
Bei Sicherheitsfragen nimmt Karim kein Blatt vor den Mund.
Karim speaks his mind when it comes to safety.
“Bei Sicherheitsfragen” specifies when Karim speaks so frankly.
Changing the form of the verb
In the present, use “ich nehme” and “sie nimmt kein Blatt vor den Mund”. Learn “kein Blatt” and “vor den Mund” as fixed parts of the phrase.
In the present perfect, you’ll hear “Sie hat kein Blatt vor den Mund genommen”. Add “wenn es um … geht” to name the area in which someone speaks this openly.
Die Kritikerin hat bei der Premiere kein Blatt vor den Mund genommen.
The critic didn’t mince her words at the premiere.
“Hat … genommen” forms the present perfect here.
Gauging directness in conversation
“She speaks her mind, and I appreciate that about her” presents frankness as a strength. In “He didn’t mince words, which was a little awkward in front of the client,” the second part is more critical.
If you want to give feedback yourself, “Can I tell you honestly what I noticed?” is a friendly way to begin. The idiom works well when you later describe how someone gave their feedback.
Ich mag, dass du kein Blatt vor den Mund nimmst, wenn dir etwas auffällt.
I like that you speak up when you notice something.
After “dass”, “nimmst” comes at the end of that subordinate clause.
Everyday conversations
Frank feedback
Yasmin and Paul are discussing the feedback on their draft.
- Yasmin
Wie fandest du Idas Rückmeldung zu unserem Entwurf?
What did you think of Ida’s feedback on our draft?
- Paul
Sie hat kein Blatt vor den Mund genommen. Sie meinte, der Einstieg sei viel zu lang.
She didn’t mince her words. She said the opening was far too long.
- Yasmin
Stimmt eigentlich. Wir kommen erst auf Seite zwei zum Punkt.
She’s got a point. We only get to the point on page two.
- Paul
Dann kürzen wir den Einstieg und schicken ihr die neue Version.
Let’s shorten the opening and send her the new version.
Usage note
Listen to the tone. In a friendly conversation, the phrase can express appreciation. An irritated tone can suggest someone was too blunt.
Three practice tasks
Try each task before opening the explanation.
Which statement describes a person who “nimmt kein Blatt vor den Mund”?
Answer and explanation
Er sagt offen, was er denkt.
The idiom describes opinions expressed frankly.
Complete “Wenn es um Geld geht, ___ Lea kein Blatt vor den Mund.”
Answer and explanation
nimmt
“Lea” takes the third-person singular form “nimmt”.
Which statement explicitly appreciates this frankness?
Answer and explanation
Das schätze ich an ihr.
“Das schätze ich an ihr” explicitly presents frankness as a quality the speaker appreciates.
What to remember
“Kein Blatt vor den Mund nehmen” describes how someone voices their opinion.