Korean word

간접

Pronunciation

Romanizationkanjeop

Meaning

  • nounindirectness

Example

그는 간접 표현을 자주 쓴다.keu neun kan jeop pyo hyeo neul cha ju sseun da

He often uses indirect expressions.

Illustration for 간접 (indirectness)

More examples

책을 통해 간접 경험을 쌓았다.chae geul tong hae kan jeop kyeong heo meul ssa at tta

I gained indirect experience through books.

Core concept

Meaning is conveyed by a detour, with the speaker avoiding a direct path to the point.

Common phrases

  • 간접 경험kan jeop kyeong heom

    indirect experience

  • 간접 영향kan jeop yeong hyang

    indirect influence

Similar words

직접chikjjeop: An action or influence that reaches its target without an intermediary.
돌려말하기tollyeomalhagi: Roundabout phrasing that conveys a point without saying it in a plain way.
암시amsi: An unstated suggestion conveyed by words, actions, or a situation.
완곡 표현wangok pyohyeon: Gentle wording that reduces the force of an unpleasant message.

Definition in Korean

말이나 행동이 직접적이지 않고 돌려 말하거나 완곡하게 표현되는 성질이나 방식ma ri na haeng dong i chik jjeop jjeo gi ji an ko tol lyeo mal ha geo na wan go ka ge pyo hyeon doe neun seong ji ri na pang sik

Word origin

The word comes from Sino-Korean parts meaning between and connect, suggesting contact made through something in the middle rather than directly.

Usage tips

  • This word helps distinguish a direct statement from a roundabout one, a useful contrast when reading Korean comments or conversations.

Other meanings

  • roundaboutnessadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 간접적kanjeopjjeokindirectadjective
  • 간접화법kanjeopwabeopreported speechnoun
  • 간접흡연kanjeopeubyeonpassive smokingnoun

Word lists with this word