曖昧(あいまい)

あいまい
na-adjective
ambiguous; vague; unclear
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.

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

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
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)

COMPARISON:

  • 曖昧(あいまい): neutral term for ambiguity
  • うやむや: deliberately obscured
  • あやふや: unreliable or poorly defined
general
Added 2026.1.25 9:56
08000/08051_aimai