それとなく

そ

れ

と

な

く

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

adverb

indirectly; obliquely; in a roundabout way

usually written using kana alone

Used when conveying something without stating it directly, often to be tactful or avoid confrontation. Common with verbs like 言う, 聞く, 伝える, 示す.

それ

と

なく

彼かの

女じょ

の

気き

持も

ち

を

聞き

い

て

み

た

。

I casually tried to ask about her feelings.