➜ #239894
unlinked by Pfirsichbaeumchen, July 28, 2019

I wonder if there aren't times when this would be a good match.

You don't have to be so formal.

Can "formal" mean "too serious"/"too stubborn"/"a square"?

If someone is trying to speak overly-politely we might say, "You don't have to be so formal."

I regard 固いことを言う as "sticking to rules, conventions, etc. too much and not allowing anything else," regardless of the style of speech.
https://eikaiwa.dmm.com/uknow/questions/112925/

@bunbuku
#239894と合っていると思いますか？

Don't be such a grammar Nazi.
Don't be such a stickler.
Don't be such a prescriptivist.
(???)

> "sticking to rules, conventions, etc. too much and not allowing anything else,"

I think "formal" covers this.

改めて formal の意味を調べてみました。

following or according with established form, custom, or rule
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formal

using an agreed and often official or traditional way of doing things:
https://dictionary.cambridge.or...english/formal

Being formal doesn't have to mean being stiff or unnatural; it's basically just using good manners and following the rules.
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/formal

伝統的なお祭りのルールを変えようとか、家の門限を今日だけ遅くしてもらおうとか、そんなときの「固いこと言うなよ」の翻訳として "You don't have to be so formal." もありなんじゃないかと思います。

ありがとうございます、再リンクしました。

あ、そうだ！
uptightかな？
https://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=uptight
https://ejje.weblio.jp/content/uptight

＞家の門限を今日だけ遅くしてもらおう
このとき、formalってよくあわない気がしてるけど
子どもが親に「厳しくしないで、もっと自由にしてくれ」と頼んでる場合よね？
僕にとってuptightが近いと思うよ
でも、多分英語や日本語の、正しく分からなかったことはあるかも