Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Ambiguous, Equivocal: Refers to language, a statement, or a reply that is deliberately unclear or has more than one possible interpretation, often to avoid commitment or to deceive.
   • Non-committal, Evasive: Describes an attitude, position, or behavior that is intentionally vague and avoids taking a clear side or making a definite decision.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta đưa ra một câu trả lời nước đôi. (He gave an equivocal reply.)
  • Thái độ nước đôi của họ khiến mọi người nghi ngờ. (Their non-committal attitude made everyone suspicious.)
  • Lời hứa nước đôi đó chẳng có giá trị gì. (That ambiguous promise is worthless.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "nước đôi" is often used in contexts involving diplomacy, politics, negotiations, or personal relationships where someone wishes to remain strategically vague. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of honesty or decisiveness.

Variants and Related Words

• Lập lờ (adj): Ambiguous, vague (often with intent to mislead).
  • Lời nói lập lờ không đáng tin. (Ambiguous words are not trustworthy.)
• Mập mờ (adj): Unclear, obscure, fuzzy.
  • Những điều khoản mập mờ trong hợp đồng. (The obscure clauses in the contract.)

Synonyms

• Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation.
• Equivocal: Allowing the possibility of different meanings, often to mislead.
• Non-committal: Not expressing a clear opinion or decision.
• Evasive: Tending to avoid commitment or direct answers.

Related Idioms

• Trả lời kiểu Normandy (a calque from French, "répondre en Normand"): To give an equivocal answer. This idiom shares the same meaning as "trả lời nước đôi".
  • Đừng trả lời kiểu Normandy, hãy nói rõ ý anh đi. (Don't give me an equivocal answer, state your intention clearly.)

1. ambiguous, equivocal
   • Câu trả lời nước đôi
     An quivocal reply