曖昧(あいまい)

あいまい
na-adjective
ambiguous; vague; unclear
communicationdescriptive
1. ambiguous; vague; unclear; equivocal
having multiple possible interpretations or lacking clear definition; not clearly expressed
曖昧(あいまい)な返事(へんじ)は避(さ)けてください。
Please avoid giving vague answers.
基準(きじゅん)が曖昧(あいまい)だ。
The criteria are unclear.
曖昧(あいまい)な表現(ひょうげん)は誤解(ごかい)を招(まね)く。
Ambiguous expressions lead to misunderstandings.

Writing

The kanji 曖昧(あいまい) uses rare characters and is often written in hiragana.

Cultural note

Japanese communication is often described as 曖昧(あいまい) by non-Japanese speakers. This can be intentional to maintain harmony (和(わ)) or leave room for interpretation.

Usage

  • 曖昧(あいまい)な態度(たいど) (ambiguous attitude)
  • 曖昧(あいまい)にする (to make ambiguous, to be evasive)
  • 曖昧(あいまい)さ (ambiguity - noun form)

Similar words

  • 曖昧(あいまい): neutral term for ambiguity
  • うやむや: deliberately obscured
  • あやふや: unreliable or poorly defined

Related Words

Compare: うやむや (vague; inconclusive (deliberate))
Compare: あやふや (uncertain; vague; unreliable)
Synonym: 不明瞭(ふめいりょう) (unclear; indistinct)
Compare: 不正確(ふせいかく) (inaccurate)
Compare: 朧(おぼろ)げ (faint)
Compare: ぼんやりする (to be absent-minded)
Compare: 不確定(ふかくてい) (uncertain)
Compare: 不明確(ふめいかく) (unclear)
general
Added 2026.1.25 9:56 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
08000/08051_aimai