Chinese word

绕

Pronunciation

Pinyinrào

Meaning

  • verbavoid

Example

我们可以绕过那个问题再说。wǒ men ké yǐ rào guò nà ge wèn tí zài shuō

We can avoid that issue and talk about it later.

Illustration for 绕 (avoid)

More examples

她把绳子绕在柱子上固定住。tā bǎ shéng zi rào zài zhù zi shàng gù dìng zhù

She wrapped the rope around the post to secure it.

Core concept

Turning away from a straight line to circle a thing, a route, or a point of discussion.

Common phrases

  • 绕过rào guò

    avoid

  • 绕开rào kāi

    steer clear of

  • 绕道而行rào dào ér xíng

    take a detour

Similar words

避免bì miǎn: Takes action in advance to keep danger or loss from happening.
回避huí bì: Keeps away from trouble or responsibility by withdrawing from it.
规避guī bì: Uses gaps in rules or systems to avoid an unfavorable result.

Definition in Chinese

用转弯或曲折的方式通过空间或处理事务，以避免直接接触或冲突；也可指缠绕动作。yòng zhuǎn wān huò qū zhé de fāng shì tōng guò kōng jiān huò chú lǐ shì wù yǐ bì miǎn zhí jiē jiē chù huò chōng tū yě kě zhǐ chán rào dòng zuò

Word origin

The core image of 绕 (rào, "to go around") is a thread or object making a circuit, which explains both wrapping around a surface and moving around a direct route or issue.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this word can frame a difficult topic as a route around it rather than a direct refusal, while still showing that the original point remains in view.

Other meanings

  • go aroundverb
  • wrap aroundverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 绕行rào xínggo aroundverb
  • 绕口令rào kǒu lìngtongue twisternoun
  • 绕道rào dàodetournoun

Word lists with this word