逆耳之言

speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths / home truths (that one does not want to hear)

(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de5]) / him / her / it

words / speech / to say / to talk

ear / handle (archaeology) / and that is all (Classical Chinese)

contrary / opposite / backwards / to go against / to oppose / to betray / to rebel

unpleasant to hear / grates on the ear (of home truths)