圆滑

圓滑

yuánhuá

adjective #17,205

Meanings

Literally 'round and slippery' - someone who is so smooth they can never be pinned down.

HSK 6

在官场上，圆滑的人往往走得更远。

Zài guānchǎng shàng, yuánhuá de rén wǎngwǎng zǒu de gèng yuǎn.

In the political arena, slick people often get further.

HSK 7-9

他这个人太圆滑了，说话从不得罪人。

Tā zhège rén tài yuánhuá le, shuōhuà cóngbù dézuì rén.

He's too slick - he never offends anyone when he speaks.

usage

圆滑 is almost always negative, implying someone is sly and insincere rather than genuinely diplomatic. For positive smoothness/tact, use 圆融 or 老练.

圆 yuán

滑 huá