take a roundabout way; beat around the bush
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to take a roundabout way; to go by a circuitous route
Refers to physically taking an indirect route, often due to obstacles or unfamiliarity with the area.
Rén人
dì地
shēng生
shū疏
，
nán难
miǎn免
rào绕
quān圈
zi子
zǒu走
yuān冤
wang枉
lù路
。
Unfamiliar with the place and people, it's inevitable to take detours and waste effort.
Qián前
miàn面
zhèng正
zài在
xiū修
lù路
，
wǒ我
men们
děi得
rào绕
quān圈
zi子
zǒu走
。
The road ahead is under construction, so we have to take a detour.
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Tā他
bù不
rèn认
shi识
lù路
，
rào绕
le了
hěn很
duō多
quān圈
zi子
cái才
zhǎo找
dào到
jiǔ酒
diàn店
。
He didn't know the way and circled around many times before finding the hotel.
verb
to beat around the bush; to speak in a roundabout way
Figurative usage describing evasive or indirect speech, often implying reluctance to get to the point.
Yǒu有
huà话
zhí直
shuō说
，
bié别
rào绕
quān圈
zi子
。
If you have something to say, say it directly; don't beat around the bush.
Nǐ你
bié别
rào绕
quān圈
zi子
le了
，
zhí直
jiē接
gào告
su诉
wǒ我
jié结
guǒ果
ba吧
。
Stop beating around the bush and just tell me the result.
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Tā他
shuō说
huà话
zǒng总
ài爱
rào绕
quān圈
zi子
，
ràng让
rén人
zháo着
jí急
。
He always likes to speak in a roundabout way, which makes people anxious.