how to say "truth be told" in Hebrew

לְמַעַן הָאֱמֶת

If you’ve spent time in a synagogue or have participated in Jewish prayer, chances are you’ve heard the word אמת

– truth. People sometimes also answer a question with אמת instead of כן

(yes) or נכון

(correct), as in:

אתה גר בקטמון? – אמת.

You live in Katamon? – Yes (truth).

One expression for to tell you the truth – or truth be told – is למען האמת

. It means literally, for the sake of the truth.

For example:

למען האמת אני לא בטוח שאני רוצה לנסוע.

Truth be told, I’m not sure I want to go.

By the same token, I could use להגיד לך את האמת

– literally, to tell you the truth.