拐弯抹角
拐弯抹角 (guǎi wān mò jiǎo) literally means “turn corners wipe angles” and expresses “speak or act in deliberately indirect manner”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: guai wan mo jiao, guai wan mo jiao,拐弯抹角 meaning, 拐弯抹角 in english
Speak or act in deliberately indirect manner
Pronunciation: guǎi wān mò jiǎo Literal meaning: Turn corners wipe angles
Origin & Usage
Ming Dynasty urban guides first used this phrase to describe physical paths that turn corners (拐弯) and smooth angles (抹角). Qing Dynasty diplomatic writing adopted it for conversational indirectness. The spatial metaphor perfectly captured how communication can avoid direct routes while still reaching its destination. Today it describes any deliberately indirect approach, whether in diplomacy or personal requests.
Examples
English: "Instead of directly asking for a raise, he spoke vaguely about compensation and market rates"
Chinese: 他没有直接要求加薪，而是含糊地谈论薪酬和市场行情
Related Chinese Idioms
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Exactly identical
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yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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海纳百川
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Accept all with open mind
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Value harmony above all
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Face challenges together
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Share hardships together
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chūn fēng huà yǔ
Gentle, nurturing influence
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 拐弯抹角 mean in English?
拐弯抹角 (guǎi wān mò jiǎo) literally translates to “Turn corners wipe angles” and is used to express “Speak or act in deliberately indirect manner”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 拐弯抹角 used?
Situation: Instead of directly asking for a raise, he spoke vaguely about compensation and market rates
What is the pinyin for 拐弯抹角?
The pinyin pronunciation for 拐弯抹角 is “guǎi wān mò jiǎo”.