模棱两可

模稜兩可

móléngliǎngkě

idiom #25,456

Meanings

1 ambiguous
2 equivocal
3 sitting on the fence
4 vague and uncommitted

Characters

possible, acceptable

Examples

他的回答模棱两可，让人不知道他的真实想法。

Tā de huídá móléngliǎngkě, ràng rén bù zhīdào tā de zhēnshí xiǎngfǎ.

His answer was ambiguous, leaving people unsure of his true thoughts.

领导应该给出明确指示，不能模棱两可。

Lǐngdǎo yīnggāi gěi chū míngquè zhǐshì, bù néng móléngliǎngkě.

A leader should give clear instructions and not be equivocal.

这份合同的条款措辞模棱两可，容易引起争议。

Zhè fèn hétong de tiáokuǎn cuòcí móléngliǎngkě, róngyì yǐnqǐ zhēngyì.

The wording of this contract's clauses is ambiguous and likely to cause disputes.

Tips

memory

模棱 means 'on the edge/ridge' — imagine balancing on a ridgeline where you could fall either way. 两可 means 'both are possible.' Together: you won't commit to either side.

Stroke Order

模 mó

棱 léng

两 liǎng

可 kě