The spelling of the phrase "are frank" is fairly straightforward when it comes to the two words individually, but the combination of the two may cause some confusion. "Are" is spelled /ər/ in IPA, while "frank" is spelled /fræŋk/. The emphasis in "frank" is on the first syllable, so the word sounds like "FRANK" rather than "frank." Together, the phrase is typically pronounced as "rə FRANK," with the "r" sound from "are" blending into the "fr" sound from "frank."
"Are frank" is not a standard term or phrase that has a widely recognized or established definition in the dictionary. "Are" is the second-person singular and plural form of the verb "be," indicating the present tense. "Frank," on the other hand, is an adjective that describes someone who is open, honest, and straightforward in their demeanor or speech.
Individually, "are" and "frank" hold their respective meanings, but "are frank" together can be interpreted as a combination of these definitions. If someone or a group of people "are frank," it implies that they exhibit a characteristic of being sincere and open in their communication, without pretense or deception. They express their thoughts, opinions, and feelings openly, without fear of judgment or consequences. People who are frank are often seen as authentic, reliable, and trustworthy.
It is important to note that "are frank" is a contextual phrase, and its interpretation can depend on the surrounding content or conversation. Moreover, without further context, it is difficult to specify the exact meaning or usage of this phrase.
The phrase "are frank" does not have a distinct etymology as it is a combination of the verb "are" (the second person plural of the verb "to be") and the adjective "frank", meaning open, honest, or sincere. Individually, the etymology of each word is as follows:
- "Are": The word "are" originated from Old English "eart", which means "thou art" or "you are". It comes from the Proto-Germanic word "ērt", which is related to the Old Norse "ert" and the Gothic "ar-tu". The ultimate origins of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁es-.
- "Frank": The word "frank" comes from the Old French "franc", meaning "free" or "generous".