Translation guide
The English word 'diplomacy' covers both formal international relations and the everyday skill of handling people tactfully. Japanese distinguishes these clearly, with different words for state-level diplomacy and personal tact.
The management of relationships between countries, including negotiations, treaties, and official representation.
The standard term for diplomacy between nations. Used in formal and news contexts.
日本は平和的な外交を重視している。
Japan emphasizes peaceful diplomacy.
彼は外交官として長年働いてきた。
He has worked as a diplomat for many years.
Foreign policy; the strategy behind a country's diplomacy.
新しい外交政策が発表された。
A new foreign policy was announced.
The art or skill of diplomacy; somewhat literary.
彼は巧みな外交術で交渉をまとめた。
He concluded the negotiations with skillful diplomacy.
The ability to handle sensitive situations or difficult people without causing offense.
Tactical maneuvering in conversation or negotiation; implies strategic give-and-take. Often used in business or personal relationships.
彼女は駆け引きが上手だ。
She is good at diplomacy (tactical maneuvering).
駆け引きなしで本音を話そう。
Let's speak honestly without any diplomacy.
Skill in socializing; the ability to get along with people smoothly. A more general term for interpersonal diplomacy.
あの人は人付き合いの上手さで信頼を得ている。
That person gains trust through diplomacy (skill in dealing with people).
To be considerate and attentive to others' feelings; a key part of everyday diplomacy in Japan.
Social skills or the art of socializing; somewhat formal.
社交術を磨くためにパーティーに参加した。
I attended parties to polish my diplomacy (social skills).
Using indirect or polite language to avoid hurting feelings or to soften a message.
Literally 'wrap in an oblate (thin edible film)', meaning to phrase something indirectly or euphemistically. Very common for describing diplomatic speech.
批判をオブラートに包んで伝えた。
I conveyed the criticism with diplomacy (wrapped it in soft language).
To say something indirectly or in a roundabout way; a form of verbal diplomacy.
遠回しに断りの意思を示した。
He indicated his refusal with diplomacy (indirectly).
外交 (gaikou) is strictly for international relations. Using it for personal tact sounds odd. 駆け引き (kakehiki) implies strategic maneuvering, often with a nuance of manipulation, so it's not always positive. For neutral 'tact', consider 気遣い (kizukai) or 人付き合いの上手さ (hitozukiai no jouzu-sa).
Saying '彼は外交的だ' (kare wa gaikouteki da) to mean 'He is diplomatic' is unnatural. Use 気が利く (ki ga kiku) or 如才ない (josai nai) for a tactful person.
彼はいつも周りに気を遣っている。
He always exercises diplomacy (is considerate) with those around him.
Euphemism; a linguistic term for indirect expression. More technical.
日本語には婉曲表現が多い。
Japanese has many euphemisms (diplomatic expressions).