婉曲(えんきょく)に

An important concept in Japanese communication, where indirect expression is often preferred over bluntness, especially in refusals and criticism. The adverbial form 婉曲(えんきょく)に and the na-adjective form 婉曲(えんきょく)な are both common.

Common collocations

• 婉曲(えんきょく)に断(ことわ)る: to decline indirectly
• 婉曲(えんきょく)に伝(つた)える: to convey indirectly
• 婉曲(えんきょく)な表現(ひょうげん): indirect expression, euphemism
• 婉曲(えんきょく)話法(わほう): euphemistic speech, circumlocution

Similar words

• 遠回(とおまわ)しに: in a roundabout way — more colloquial and commonly used in everyday speech
• 間接的(かんせつてき)に: indirectly — more neutral and analytical, often used about methods or effects
• やんわりと: gently, softly — focuses on the gentle tone rather than the indirectness

Register

Somewhat formal. The everyday equivalent is 遠回(とおまわ)しに. Often encountered in discussions of Japanese communication styles and linguistics.