Klartext

Klartext is a German noun meaning plain language or straightforward, unambiguous speech. The word combines klar (clear) and Text (text) and is used to describe communication that is delivered without ambiguity, euphemism, or unnecessary complexity. In everyday speech it signals a preference for directness and transparency.

In usage, people often say “in Klartext” or “den Klartext sagen” to indicate that something should be stated plainly and without decoration. The term carries a normative tone, suggesting that evasive or oblique phrasing is undesirable and that the audience will understand best if the message is expressed clearly. Klartext is common in political, journalistic, business, and educational contexts, where clarity is valued for effective information sharing and decision-making.

Klartext has also been adopted as a title or brand for various media projects and publications in German-speaking countries, reflecting an emphasis on direct analysis, commentary, or reporting. While it is widely understood across Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, the precise connotations of Klartext can vary with context and register, with some speakers preferring more formal terms like klare Sprache to describe linguistic clarity.