绕圈子 (rào quān zi) — to go around in circles; to make a detour; to beat around the bush; to speak indirectly
Definition
Two meanings from one phrase: literally going in/detouring a circle, and figuratively beating around the bush in speech. The figurative sense is far more common in conversation.
verb
to go around in circlesto make a detourto beat around the bushto speak indirectly
Examples
- 绕圈子，。Bié gēn wǒ rào quān zi le, zhí jiē shuō ba.Don't beat around the bush with me, just say it directly.
- 。Wǒ men rào le yí gè dà quān zi cái dào nà lǐ.We made a big detour before arriving there.
- 绕圈子，。Tā xǐ huan rào quān zi, bù zhí jiē huí dá wèn tí.He likes to beat around the bush and not answer questions directly.
Appears in
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