婉曲

• 読み: えんきょく
• ローマ字: enkyoku
• 漢字の分解: 婉 (en) — graceful, gentle | 曲 (kyoku) — curved, indirect
• 発音: /e.ɴ.kjo.kɯ/

意味

Euphemistic; indirect; roundabout. Describing language or behaviour that avoids bluntness by softening or obscuring the direct meaning.

A na-adjective and noun describing the deliberate choice of indirect, softened expression. 婉曲な表現 (euphemistic expression) is contrasted with 直接的な表現 (direct expression). In Japanese communication culture, 婉曲 is often valued as a mark of consideration and tact, allowing speakers to convey difficult truths without causing offence. Literary critics use it to describe authors who embed criticism or difficult themes in subtle, allusive prose.

例文

1. 直接断るのは失礼だと思い、婉曲な表現を選んで断りを入れた。
2. 批評家は婉曲に問題点を指摘したが、関係者には真意が十分伝わっていた。
3. 日本語は婉曲な表現が豊かで、言葉の裏に隠れた意図を読み取る文化がある。

使い方ガイド

場面: rhetoric, literary criticism, communication studies, social etiquette

トーン: analytical

起源と歴史

From Classical Chinese. 婉 means 'graceful, gentle, tactful' and 曲 means 'bent, curved, indirect'. Together they describe speech that curves gently around a topic rather than striking it head-on.

文化的背景

時代: Classical–Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated