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The purpose of this study is to show how Chinese people use irony for efficient communication. There are two types of irony. One is positive irony and the other is negative irony. The irony expresses various meanings indirectly depending on the context. The ironic meaning conveyed indirectly is understood by pragmatic reasoning. In the process of communication a specific irony is used depending on the speaker’s utterance purpose and expresses indirectly various meanings, emotions, attitudes to bring about the effectiveness of communication. Positive irony is often used to express kindness and politeness, saving the other person’s face and allowing him to communicate smoothly. Negative irony tends to be used occasionally. That’s because it often hurts the other person’s face and feelings. Positive irony is frequently used to vividly express the speaker’s deep affection for smooth and lively communication with the other person. The irony used as humor brings about pleasant and friendly communication with the other person. The irony is often used to exaggerate or emphasize the speaker’s views so that no one else can reject his views. The positive irony used as satire saves the other person’s face and at the same time achieves the speaker’s objectives to indirectly criticize the other person. The positive irony is also used to indirectly downplay the other person or a third party by showing a negative feeling or attitude. The positive irony used as humor in advertisements creates a humorous and pleasant atmosphere, that enables lively communication. Chinese people often use irony to get various effectiveness of communication. Therefore, the irony is a useful tool used for efficiency in communication. (Pusan University of Foreign Studies)