まっすぐ

まっすぐ · massugu · JLPT N5 · na-adj

direct

📏 真っ直ぐ = ma (truly) + sugu (straight): truly straight

Written 真っ直ぐ: the prefix 真 (ma, true/pure) doubles the next consonant for emphasis, as in 真っ白 (masshiro, pure white). 直ぐ (sugu) means straight or direct, and also right away. So massugu is literally dead straight.

More Japanese words · How Japanese works