tactful words; polite expressions
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
tactful or euphemistic words; indirect and polite expressions
Often used in set phrases such as 婉言拒绝 (decline politely) or 婉言相劝 (persuade tactfully). Though tagged as a noun, it frequently functions adverbially before verbs of communication, implying 'with tactful words'.
Tā他
wǎn婉
yán言
jù拒
jué绝
le了
nà那
fèn份
gōng工
zuò作
。
He politely declined that job offer.
Lǎo老
shī师
wǎn婉
yán言
xiāng相
quàn劝
，
xī希
wàng望
tā他
bù不
yào要
zài再
chí迟
dào到
。
The teacher gently persuaded him, hoping he would not be late again.
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Miàn面
duì对
wú无
lǐ理
yāo要
qiú求
，
tā她
zhǐ只
néng能
wǎn婉
yán言
xiè谢
jué绝
。
Faced with unreasonable demands, she could only politely refuse.