间接表达 Indirect Expression Jiànjié biǎodá

Dialogues

Dialogues 1

中文

老王：李先生，您最近身体怎么样？
李先生：托您的福，还算不错。
老王：听说您家孩子要出国留学了，真是可喜可贺啊！
李先生：是的，谢谢您关心。
老王：留学费用不低吧？
李先生：还好，家里有点积蓄，凑凑也就够了。
老王：那真是太好了，祝您孩子学业有成！

拼音

Lǎo Wáng: Lǐ xiānsheng, nín zuìjìn shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?
Lǐ xiānsheng: Tuō nín de fú, hái suàn bùcuò.
Lǎo Wáng: Tīngshuō nín jiā háizi yào chūguó liúxué le, zhēnshi kěxǐ kěhè a!
Lǐ xiānsheng: Shì de, xièxie nín guānxīn.
Lǎo Wáng: Liúxué fèiyòng bù dī ba?
Lǐ xiānsheng: Hái hǎo, jiā lǐ yǒudiǎn jīxù, còucòu yě jiù gòu le.
Lǎo Wáng: Nà zhēnshi tài hǎo le, zhù nín háizi xuéyè yǒuchéng!

English

Lao Wang: Mr. Li, how have you been recently?
Mr. Li: Thanks to your concern, I'm doing pretty well.
Lao Wang: I heard your child is going to study abroad, congratulations!
Mr. Li: Yes, thank you for your concern.
Lao Wang: Studying abroad must be expensive, right?
Mr. Li: It's okay, we have some savings, it's enough.
Lao Wang: That's great, I wish your child all the best in their studies!

Common Phrases

家家有本难念的经

Jiā jiā yǒu běn nán niàn de jīng

Every family has its own troubles.

话里有话

Huà lǐ yǒu huà

reading between the lines

拐弯抹角

Guǎiwān mǒjiǎo

beating around the bush

Cultural Background

中文

中国人说话比较含蓄，喜欢间接表达，避免直接冲突。

在正式场合，更注重委婉表达，避免冒犯他人。

在非正式场合，可以稍微直白一些，但也要注意分寸。

拼音

Zhōngguó rén shuōhuà bǐjiào hánxù, xǐhuan jiànjié biǎodá, bìmiǎn zhíjiē chōngtú.

Zài zhèngshì chǎnghé, gèng zhòngshì wěiyuǎn biǎodá, bìmiǎn màofàn tārén.

Zài fēi zhèngshì chǎnghé, kěyǐ shāowēi zhíbái yīxiē, dàn yě yào zhùyì fēncùn。

English

Chinese people tend to be indirect in their communication, preferring to avoid direct conflict.

In formal settings, indirect and polite expressions are emphasized to avoid offending others.

In informal settings, you can be slightly more direct, but still need to be mindful of your tone and word choice.

Advanced Expressions

中文

委婉地拒绝请求：‘这件事恐怕不太容易办到’；‘我最近比较忙，恐怕没时间’。

含蓄地表达不满：‘我觉得……好像不太妥当’；‘这件事处理起来有点难度’。

暗示某种可能性：‘或许……’；‘说不定……’。

拼音

Wěiyuǎn de jùjué qǐngqiú: ‘Zhè jiàn shì kǒngpà bù tài róngyì bàn dào’；‘Wǒ zuìjìn bǐjiào máng, kǒngpà méi shíjiān’。

Hánxù de biǎodá bùmǎn: ‘Wǒ juéde……hǎoxiàng bù tài tuǒdāng’；‘Zhè jiàn shì chǔlǐ qǐlái yǒudiǎn nándù’。

Ànshì mǒuzhǒng kěnéngxìng: ‘Huòxǔ……’；‘Shùobùdìng……’。

English

Politely refusing a request: 'I'm afraid that might be a little difficult.'; 'I'm quite busy recently, I'm afraid I don't have time.'

Indirectly expressing dissatisfaction: 'I feel that... doesn't seem quite appropriate.'; 'This matter is a little difficult to handle.'

Suggesting a possibility: 'Perhaps...'; 'Maybe...'

Cultural Taboos

中文

避免使用过于直接或尖锐的语言，以免造成不必要的冲突或误解。

拼音

Bìmiǎn shǐyòng guòyú zhíjiē huò jiānrùi de yǔyán, yǐmiǎn zàochéng bù bìyào de chōngtú huò wùjiě。

English

Avoid using overly direct or harsh language to prevent unnecessary conflicts or misunderstandings.

Key Points

中文

间接表达在中国的文化中非常普遍，理解其背后的文化内涵非常重要。

拼音

Jiànjié biǎodá zài zhōngguó de wénhuà zhōng fēicháng pǔbiàn, lǐjiě qí bèihòu de wénhuà nèihán fēicháng zhòngyào。

English

Indirect expression is very common in Chinese culture; understanding the cultural context behind it is very important.

Practice Tips

中文

多听中文对话，体会中国人说话的语气和习惯。

尝试用委婉的语气表达自己的想法。

注意观察不同场合下说话的方式。

拼音

Duō tīng zhōngwén duìhuà, tǐhuì zhōngguó rén shuōhuà de yǔqì hé xíguàn。

Chángshì yòng wěiyuǎn de yǔqì biǎodá zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ。

Zhùyì guānchá bùtóng chǎnghé xià shuōhuà de fāngshì。

English

Listen to a lot of Chinese conversations to understand the tone and habits of Chinese speakers.

Try to express your thoughts using polite and indirect language.

Pay attention to how people speak in different situations.