Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Vague, indistinct, or hazy: Describes something that is not clearly seen, heard, or understood, often due to being faint, distant, or obscured.
   • Evasive or non-committal: Describes an attitude, manner, or speech that is intentionally unclear or avoids direct engagement or a specific topic.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trong sương mù, bóng người hiện ra lảng lảng. (In the fog, a person's figure appeared vague and indistinct.)
  • Anh ấy trả lời một cách lảng lảng, không muốn nói thẳng sự thật. (He answered evasively, not wanting to tell the truth directly.)
  • Ký ức về ngày đó giờ chỉ còn lảng lảng trong tâm trí cô. (The memory of that day is now only hazy in her mind.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói lảng lảng": to speak evasively.
  • Khi bị hỏi về vụ việc, ông giám đốc chỉ nói lảng lảng. (When asked about the incident, the director only spoke evasively.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lảng (adj/v): Can mean to avoid, to dodge, or to wander. It is the root word for "lảng lảng."
• Lang lảng (adj): A variant with a very similar meaning, describing something vague, drifting, or unfocused.

Synonyms

• Vague: Not clearly expressed or defined.
• Indistinct: Not clear or sharply defined.
• Evasive: Tending to avoid commitment or direct answers.
• Hazy: Unclear, misty, or vague.

Related Idioms

• Lảng vảng: to loiter or hang around without a clear purpose. While similar in sound, it emphasizes physical presence rather than vagueness of perception or speech.
  • Mấy thanh niên lảng vảng trước cổng trường. (A few youths were loitering in front of the school gate.)