1.
indirectly; in a roundabout way; obliquely
Expressing something without stating it directly, often to avoid being blunt or confrontational. A very common communication style in Japanese culture.
遠回しに断った。
I refused indirectly.
彼女は遠回しに不満を伝えた。
She expressed her dissatisfaction in a roundabout way.
遠回しに言わないで、はっきり言ってください。
Don't beat around the bush — please say it clearly.
Reflects a characteristic aspect of Japanese communication where directness is often avoided to maintain harmony. Common collocations include 遠回しに言う (to say indirectly), 遠回しに断る (to refuse indirectly), and 遠回しな表現 (indirect expression). The な-adjective form 遠回しな is also used. The opposite approach is expressed with はっきり言う (to say clearly/directly) or 直接的に言う (to say directly).