# 模棱两可

mó léng liǎng kě

Be ambiguous or noncommittal

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Rest between two possible interpretations

**Traditional Chinese:** 模稜兩可

**Register:** Critical · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe wording or answers that permit conflicting readings.

May be deliberate evasion or simply imprecise drafting.

## Understanding the expression

The expression describes a position that cannot be clearly assigned to one side or another. A reply may sound partly affirmative and partly negative, leaving listeners unsure what was promised. It often criticizes evasiveness, though poor wording can produce the same ambiguity unintentionally. Clarification requires specific terms or a direct answer. An appropriately qualified judgment is different when its conditions are clearly stated, because uncertainty need not make the wording confusing.

## Examples

他的答复模棱两可，无法安排。

### Traditional Chinese

他的答覆模稜兩可，無法安排。

tā de dá fù mó léng liǎng kě ， wú fǎ ān pái 。

His ambiguous reply prevents planning.

合同条款模棱两可，需要改写。

### Traditional Chinese

合同條款模稜兩可，需要改寫。

hé tong tiáo kuǎn mó léng liǎng kě ， xū yào gǎi xiě 。

The ambiguous clause needs rewriting.

别模棱两可，请说是否同意。

### Traditional Chinese

別模稜兩可，請說是否同意。

bié mó léng liǎng kě ， qǐng shuō shì fǒu tóng yì 。

Please clearly say whether you agree.

她的说明并不模棱两可，只是附有条件。

### Traditional Chinese

她的說明並不模稜兩可，只是附有條件。

tā de shuō míng bìng bù mó léng liǎng kě ， zhǐ shì fù yǒu tiáo jiàn 。

Her explanation is conditional, not ambiguous.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%A8%A1%E7%A8%9C%E5%85%A9%E5%8F%AF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=612&webMd=1&la=0)

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