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绕弯子 (rào wān zi) — to beat around the bush (to avoid addressing something directly)

Definition

Colloquial verb for 'beating around the bush' — talking in circles instead of getting to the point. Often negated with 别 to tell someone to speak directly.

verb
to beat around the bush (to avoid addressing something directly)

Examples

  • ，绕弯子。
    Nǐ yǒu huà jiù zhí shuō, bié rào wān zi le.
    If you have something to say, just say it directly — don't beat around the bush.
  • 。
    Tā rào le bàn tiān wān zi cái gào sù wǒ men zhēn xiàng.
    He beat around the bush for a long time before telling us the truth.
  • 绕弯子，。
    Bié gēn wǒ rào wān zi, zhí jiē shuō ba.
    Don't beat around the bush with me — just say it directly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

绕ràoturn around
弯子bend/circle
弯wānbent子zǐthing
偏正Modifier + head

绕 means turn around, and 弯子 means bends or circles; turning around bends suggests avoiding the direct point.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 繞; 绕 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìrope
Sound part声符shēngfú
堯
堯yáo繞rào
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 繞 pairs 糸 (rope) with 堯 as a sound component; the simplified 绕 is a later shorthand.

Open 绕 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 彎; 弯 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
弓弓gōngbow
Sound part声符shēngfú
䜌
䜌䜌彎wān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 彎 pairs 弓 (bow) with 䜌 as a sound part; the simplified 弯 is a later shorthand.

Open 弯 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
Communication & Speech

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