每种语言都有委婉语，而汉语的委婉传统尤为深厚：有些话不能直说，必须绕个弯子。
Every language has euphemisms, but the Chinese tradition of speaking indirectly runs especially deep: some things cannot be said straight out and must take a detour.
最典型的莫过于年龄与死亡：说一个人“上了年纪”远比说他“老”得体，而“去世”“走了”则代替了那个过于沉重的“死”字。
The most typical cases involve age and death: saying someone is "getting on in years" is far more tactful than calling him "old," while "passed away" and "has gone" stand in for that unbearably heavy word "die."
日常生活中，想去洗手间，人们会说“我去方便一下”；劝人放弃某件事，则常说“恐怕不太合适”。
In daily life, someone heading to the restroom will say "I'll just go take care of something convenient," and to talk someone out of a plan, people often say "I'm afraid that might not be quite appropriate."
职场上的委婉更是一门学问：老板说“你再考虑考虑”，多半意味着他并不赞成你的方案。
Workplace indirectness is an art in itself: when the boss says "think it over a bit more," it most likely means he does not approve of your proposal.
委婉语之所以如此发达，是因为汉文化高度重视面子：直截了当的拒绝，会让双方都下不来台。
The reason euphemism is so highly developed is that Chinese culture places enormous weight on face: a point-blank refusal leaves both sides with no way to climb down gracefully.
因此，中国人拒绝别人时很少说“不行”，而是说“我尽量”“到时候再说”，听者自然心领神会。
So when Chinese people refuse someone, they rarely say "no"; instead they say "I'll do my best" or "let's see when the time comes," and the listener naturally reads between the lines.
对学习者来说，听懂委婉语固然重要，但更重要的是学会使用它，避免无意中冒犯别人。
For learners, understanding euphemisms is admittedly important, but more important still is learning to use them, so as not to offend anyone without meaning to.
不妨想想你的母语：当你们不愿直说“死”或“不”的时候，又会用哪些拐弯抹角的说法呢？
Think about your own language: when you would rather not say "die" or "no" outright, what roundabout expressions do you reach for?
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Key words 生词
委婉wěiwǎntactful; euphemistic
得体détǐtactful; appropriate to the occasion
直截了当zhíjié liǎodàngblunt; point-blank
下不来台xià bu lái táito be left with no way to save face
心领神会xīn lǐng shén huìto understand tacitly; read between the lines
拐弯抹角guǎi wān mò jiǎoto beat around the bush
Grammar note 语法点
莫过于
A formal superlative: 'nothing surpasses…; the greatest/most typical is none other than…'. Often follows 最…的 to crown one example above all others. 例：人生最大的幸福莫过于家人平安。
最典型的莫过于年龄与死亡。 — The most typical cases are none other than age and death.
之所以…，是因为…
Result first, cause second: 'the reason why A is that B'. Putting the phenomenon up front makes the explanation land with more force. 例：他之所以成功，是因为从不放弃。
委婉语之所以如此发达，是因为汉文化高度重视面子。 — The reason euphemism is so highly developed is that Chinese culture places enormous weight on face.
固然…，但…
A concessive pivot: 'admittedly A, but B'. It grants the first point genuine validity before asserting that the second matters more. 例：钱固然重要，但健康更重要。
听懂委婉语固然重要，但更重要的是学会使用它。 — Understanding euphemisms is admittedly important, but more important still is learning to use them.
Check yourself 小测验
1. According to the text, what does a boss usually mean by 你再考虑考虑?
2. Why are euphemisms so highly developed in Chinese, according to the text?
3. Instead of saying 不行, what does the text say Chinese speakers often reply?
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