# 莫衷一是

mò zhōng yī shì

Fail to agree on a single conclusion

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Unable to settle on one right answer

**Register:** Formal · literary

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Use when several people or views remain divided.

Usually describes collective disagreement, not one person’s hesitation.

## Understanding the expression

The expression points to a lack of agreement about what should count as the right answer. Several opinions may each have supporters, yet none becomes the shared conclusion. It suits disputed explanations, policy choices, and interpretations of evidence. Unlike personal indecision, it normally concerns a group or a field of debate. The disagreement need not mean everyone is uninformed; the available evidence may genuinely allow different judgments.

## Examples

专家对成因莫衷一是。

### Traditional Chinese

專家對成因莫衷一是。

zhuān jiā duì chéng yīn mò zhōng yī shì 。

Experts disagree about the cause.

大家对预算方案莫衷一是。

### Traditional Chinese

大家對預算方案莫衷一是。

dà jiā duì yù suàn fāng àn mò zhōng yī shì 。

Everyone remained divided over the budget proposal.

关于结局，读者莫衷一是。

### Traditional Chinese

關於結局，讀者莫衷一是。

guān yú jié jú ， dú zhě mò zhōng yī shì 。

Readers have no shared interpretation of the ending.

委员会讨论了一天，仍莫衷一是。

### Traditional Chinese

委員會討論了一天，仍莫衷一是。

wěi yuán huì tǎo lùn le yì tiān ， réng mò zhōng yī shì 。

The committee discussed it all day but still reached no consensus.

## 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=%E8%8E%AB%E8%A1%B7%E4%B8%80%E6%98%AF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=700&webMd=1&la=0)

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