含蓄

hánxù

adjective HSK 7 #23,939

Meanings

1 subtle; implicit; reserved
2 understated; tactful

Characters

to contain; to hold in the mouth

to store up; to accumulate

Literally 'holding and storing' — keeping things inside rather than expressing them openly.

Examples

他的表达方式很含蓄。

Tā de biǎodá fāngshì hěn hánxù.

His way of expressing things is very subtle.

中国文化比较含蓄，不会直接说“我爱你”。

Zhōngguó wénhuà bǐjiào hánxù, bù huì zhíjiē shuō "wǒ ài nǐ".

Chinese culture is relatively reserved — people don't directly say 'I love you.'

Tips

culture

含蓄 is often described as a core Chinese cultural value. The classic example: instead of saying 'I love you,' traditional Chinese courtship might involve saying 你愿意跟我回家吗 (Would you like to come home with me?) — meaning marriage, not a one-night stand.

Stroke Order

含 hán

蓄 xù