Circuitous describes a way that goes around instead of straight: you get there, but you take longer. A circuitous route might wind through side streets because the main road is closed, or because someone does not know the short way.

CircuitousCircuitous describes a way that goes around instead of straight形容一條繞過去而不是直直走的路：you get there, but you take longer你會到，但花的時間比較久。A circuitous routeA circuitous route might wind through side streets可能會繞進小巷子 because the main road is closed因為大馬路封了，or because someone does not know the short way或是因為有人不知道近路怎麼走。

We also use it for talk and writing. A circuitous answer goes all around the point — extra stories, extra steps — before it lands. That can be polite (you are softening bad news) or annoying (you will not say the thing).

We also use it for talk and writing我們也會用這個詞來講說話和寫作。A circuitous answerA circuitous answer（迂迴的回答） goes all around the point會繞著重點打轉——extra stories, extra steps多講一些故事、多繞幾個步驟——before it lands才講到重點。That can be polite (you are softening bad news)這樣可能是有禮貌的（你在緩和壞消息），or annoying (you will not say the thing)也可能讓人覺得煩（你就是不肯把話講出來）。

The word is a little formal; in speech people more often say roundabout or the long way round. It is not about electric circuits, though the two words share a history of “going around.” And it is not always a complaint: a circuitous walk can be the nicer one, if you wanted the scenery, not the shortcut.

The word is a little formal這個詞有點正式；in speech people more often say roundabout or the long way round平常說話大家比較常說 roundabout 或 the long way round。It is not about electric circuits它跟電路（electric circuits）沒有關係，though the two words share a history of "going around."雖然這兩個詞都有「繞一圈」這個共同的字源。And it is not always a complaint而且這不一定是抱怨：if you wanted the scenery, not the shortcut如果你要的是沿路風景而不是抄近路，a circuitous walk can be the nicer onea circuitous walk（繞遠的散步）反而可能比較好。