间接 (jiànjiē)

间接 means "indirect" or "roundabout" and describes something that does not happen directly but through an intermediate step or agent.

Meanings

[adjective] indirect; not direct; roundabout

Example Sentences

他间接地表达了自己的不满。 Tā jiànjiē de biǎodá le zìjǐ de bùmǎn. He expressed his dissatisfaction indirectly.

污染对健康的间接影响不可忽视。 Wūrǎn duì jiànkāng de jiànjiē yǐngxiǎng bù kě hūshì. The indirect effects of pollution on health cannot be ignored.

他们通过间接渠道获取了信息。 Tāmen tōngguò jiànjiē qúdào huòqǔ le xìnxī. They obtained information through indirect channels.

这次事故的间接原因是管理不善。 Zhè cì shìgù de jiànjiē yuányīn shì guǎnlǐ bùshàn. The indirect cause of this accident was poor management.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
间接影响	indirect influence
间接原因	indirect cause
间接方式	indirect method
直接与间接	direct and indirect

Usage Notes

间接 contrasts with 直接 (zhíjiē, direct). It is used in many contexts including communication styles (indirect speech), cause-and-effect analysis, and taxation (间接税, indirect tax). In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often associated with politeness and face-saving, making this a culturally relevant word.

Memory Hook

间 (jiān) means "between or gap" and 接 (jiē) means "to connect": 间接 describes a connection that goes through a gap or intermediary, making it indirect.