Japanese word

婉曲

Pronunciation

Romajienkyoku

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveeuphemistic

Example

先生は婉曲な表現を使います。sen sei wa en kyoku na hyō gen o tsuka i ma su

The teacher uses euphemistic expressions.

Illustration for 婉曲 (euphemistic)

More examples

断りの言葉を婉曲に伝えると、相手を傷つけにくいです。kotowa ri no koto ba o en kyoku ni tsuta e ru to ai te o kizu tsu ke ni ku i de su

Expressing a refusal euphemistically is less likely to hurt the other person.

Core concept

Presents a message through a softened, roundabout form instead of stating it in the most direct way.

Common phrases

  • 婉曲な表現en kyoku na hyō gen

    euphemistic expression

  • 婉曲に伝えるen kyoku ni tsuta e ru

    convey euphemistically

Similar words

遠回しtōmawashi: Expressing a meaning without stating it directly, often to avoid bluntness.
間接的kansetsuteki: Conveying a meaning through an indirect route instead of addressing it directly.

Definition in Japanese

伝えたい内容をそのまま言わず、遠回しで柔らかく表現するさま。tsuta e ta i nai yō o so no ma ma i wa zu tō mawa shi de yawa ra ka ku hyō gen su ru sa ma

Word origin

婉曲 (enkyoku) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 婉 (en, "gentle") and 曲 (kyoku, "bend"), describing speech that bends away from bluntness.

Usage tips

  • In formal Japanese, 婉曲 (enkyoku) often describes refusals or criticism that protect politeness by leaving the intended meaning less explicit.

Other meanings

  • indirectna-adjective
  • roundaboutna-adjective

Opposites

  • 直接的chokusetsutekidirectna-adjective

Related words

  • 婉曲さenkyokusaeuphemistic qualitynoun

Word lists with this word