toss and turn; tactful and indirect
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to toss and turn; to pass through many hands or places
literaryDescribes either physical tossing in bed or the passing of something through many intermediaries or locations. Often carries a literary tone.
Tā他
zài在
chuáng床
shàng上
wǎn宛
zhuǎn转
fǎn反
cè侧
，
nán难
yǐ以
rù入
mián眠
。
He tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Zhè这
fēng封
xìn信
wǎn宛
zhuǎn转
duō多
dì地
，
lì历
shí时
sān三
gè个
yuè月
cái才
sòng送
dá达
。
This letter passed through many places and took three months to be delivered.
adjective
(of speech) tactful and indirect without losing the original meaning; (of voice or sound) melodious and pleasant
neutralEquivalent to 婉转. Used to describe gentle, indirect communication that preserves meaning, or sweet, flowing sounds like singing or bird calls.
Tā她
de的
gē歌
shēng声
wǎn宛
zhuǎn转
dòng动
tīng听
，
dǎ打
dòng动
le了
zài在
chǎng场
de的
měi每
yī一
gè个
rén人
。
Her singing was melodious and pleasant, moving everyone present.
Tā他
cuò措
cí辞
wǎn宛
zhuǎn转
de地
jù拒
jué绝
le了
yāo邀
qǐng请
，
méi没
yǒu有
ràng让
duì对
fāng方
nán难
kān堪
。
He tactfully declined the invitation with carefully chosen words, without embarrassing the other party.
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Huáng黄
yīng莺
de的
jiào叫
shēng声
shí十
fēn分
wǎn宛
zhuǎn转
，
xiàng像
zài在
gē歌
chàng唱
。
The oriole's call was very melodious, as if it were singing.