1Roundabout; indirect; oblique — conveying something in a non-direct, hinting way rather than stating it plainly. Used for softening criticism, requests, or pointed remarks. Common in the form 遠回しに言う.
彼は遠回しに「そろそろ帰ったら？」と言った。
He hinted indirectly, saying, "Shouldn't you be heading home soon?"
遠回しな言い方では真意が伝わらないこともある。
An indirect way of speaking sometimes fails to get your real meaning across.
上司を遠回しに批判するのはかえって危ない。
Criticizing your boss in a roundabout way can actually be riskier.
彼女は遠まわしに断ったが、相手は気づかなかった。
She turned them down indirectly, but the other person didn't catch on.