HSK · Level 41
120 words
Chinese word
含蓄
Pronunciation
Pinyinhán xù
Meaning
- adjectivesubtle
Example
她的表情很含蓄，让我猜不出她的想法。tā de biǎo qíng hěn hán xù ràng wǒ cāi bù chū tā de xiáng fǎ
Her expression is very subtle, so I cannot tell what she is thinking.
More examples
在谈判中，他的表述很含蓄，对方未能立即把握意图。zài tán pàn zhōng tā de biǎo shù hěn hán xù duì fāng wèi néng lì jí bǎ wò yì tú
During the negotiations, his wording was subtle, so the other side could not immediately grasp his intention.
Core concept
An idea kept partly inside an expression, so a hint carries what a direct statement leaves unstated.
Common phrases
含蓄的暗示hán xù de àn shì
subtle hint
含蓄的笑容hán xù de xiào róng
subtle smile
Similar words
意味深长yì wèi shēn cháng: Carrying a deep meaning beneath the surface that invites careful thought.
隐晦yǐn huì: Presenting an idea indirectly and unclearly, so its main meaning is difficult to grasp.
委婉wéi wǎn: Using softened, indirect wording to avoid sounding too direct.
Definition in Chinese
话语或行为中带有未明说但能引起联想的意义，靠暗示让人自己领会。huà yǔ huò xíng wéi zhōng dài yǒu wèi míng shuō dàn néng yín qǐ lián xiǎng de yì yì kào àn shì ràng rén zì jǐ lǐng huì
Word origin
The compound combines 含 (hán, "contain") with 蓄 (xù, "store"), creating the image of meaning gathered inside an expression and released through hints.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, describing someone this way can sound approving because restraint may be valued in social interaction, although the listener may need more context to understand the point.
Other meanings
- indirectadjective
Opposites
- 直爽zhí shuǎngoutspokenadjective