お茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)す

おちゃをにごす

expression

to give a vague answer; to gloss over; to evade the issue

1. to give a vague or evasive answer; to gloss over something; to muddle through without addressing the real issue

To avoid giving a clear or honest response by being deliberately vague, changing the subject, or offering a superficial reply. Often used when someone wants to avoid confrontation or accountability.

質問(しつもん)にお茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)して答(こた)えた。

I gave an evasive answer to the question.

いつもお茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)してばかりいないで、本当(ほんとう)のことを言(い)ってほしい。

I want you to tell me the truth instead of always being evasive.

政治家(せいじか)は具体的(ぐたいてき)な回答(かいとう)を避(さ)け、お茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)すような発言(はつげん)に終始(しゅうし)した。

The politician avoided giving concrete answers and stuck to vague, evasive statements throughout.

Literally "to make the tea cloudy." The origin is debated, but one theory is that an unskilled host, unable to perform the tea ceremony properly, would stir the tea vigorously to make it look frothy and thus hide the poor quality.

This idiom always carries a negative connotation — the speaker views the evasion as dishonest or unsatisfying.

Common patterns

お茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)すような答(こた)え: an evasive answer
お茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)してばかりいる: to always be evasive
お茶(ちゃ)を濁(にご)さないで: don't be evasive

Similar words

誤魔化(ごまか)す: to deceive; to fudge — broader; includes active deception, not just vagueness
言葉(ことば)を濁(にご)す: to be vague in one's words — similar but focuses specifically on unclear language
はぐらかす: to dodge (a question); to deflect — focuses on the act of evading, often by changing the subject

Related Words

Compare: 誤魔化(ごまか)す (to deceive)

Compare: 言葉(ことば)を濁(にご)す (to be vague in one's words)

Compare: はぐらかす (to dodge)

general

Added 2026.4.28 0:17 · Revised 2026.9.14 14:06

25500/25854_ochawonigosu