含蓄 hánxù to contain
to contain; to hold; (of a person or style etc) reserved; restrained; (of words, writings) full of hidden meaning; implicit; veiled (criticism)
How to remember 含蓄: 含 to hold in the mouth + 蓄 to store = to contain.
Characters
How it is used
- Reserved/implicit - full of unspoken meaning: 他的批评很含蓄 (tā de pīpíng hěn hánxù) his criticism was veiled.
- A positive or neutral trait of restraint and subtlety (of a person or a style), unlike 含糊 (hánhu) which faults unclear expression. Written, literary.