模棱两可

模稜兩可
móléng-liǎngkě
idiom #25,456

Meanings

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

Examples

HSK 3
Tā de huídá móléng-liǎngkě, ràng rén bù zhīdào tā de zhēnshí xiǎngfǎ.
His answer was ambiguous, leaving people unsure of his true thoughts.
HSK 5
Lǐngdǎo yīnggāi gěichū míngquè zhǐshì, bùnéng móléng-liǎngkě.
A leader should give clear instructions and not be equivocal.
HSK 7-9
Zhè fèn hétong de tiáokuǎn cuòcí móléng-liǎngkě, 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

léng
liǎng