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接受暗示 (jiēshòu ànshì) - to take a hint

Grammar & Usage

verb phrase

neutral

How it works

Composed of the transitive verb 接受 (jiēshòu, 'to accept/receive') and the noun 暗示 (ànshì, 'hint/implication'). It functions as a standard verb-object predicate in a sentence. It is frequently paired with modal verbs or adverbs (e.g., 善于接受暗示, 不肯接受暗示) to describe social awareness or lack thereof.

Sample sentences

我已经把话说得很明白了，但他显然没有接受我的暗示。

I had already made things quite clear, but he obviously didn't take my hint.

她假装看手表，希望对方能接受暗示并尽快结束谈话。

She pretended to look at her watch, hoping the other person would take the hint and wrap up the conversation soon.

在职场社交中，懂得接受领导的暗示是一项重要的技能。

In workplace social dynamics, knowing how to take hints from leadership is an important skill.

Quick facts

psychology_usage:Beyond everyday social contexts, 暗示 is also a formal psychological term for 'suggestion' or 'subliminal cueing'.

character_breakdown:接 (receive) + 受 (accept) = 接受 (to accept); 暗 (covert/dark) + 示 (to show/indicate) = 暗示 (hint/implication)

simplified_traditional:接受暗示 / 接受暗示

Often used with

给出暗示 (gěichū ànshì - to drop a hint)

懂得接受暗示 (dǒngdé jiēshòu ànshì - to know how to take a hint)

善于接受暗示 (shànyú jiēshòu ànshì - to be good at taking hints)

拒绝接受暗示 (jùjué jiēshòu ànshì - to refuse to take a hint)

明显的暗示 (míngxiǎn de ànshì - an obvious hint)

Mnemonic

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Example

我已经把话说得很明白了，但他显然没有接受我的暗示。

I had already made things quite clear, but he obviously didn't take my hint.

她假装看手表，希望对方能接受暗示并尽快结束谈话。

She pretended to look at her watch, hoping the other person would take the hint and wrap up the conversation soon.