Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Equivocal; ambiguous; non-committal: Describing speech, an attitude, or behavior that is deliberately vague, indirect, or half-concealed, hinting at something without stating it clearly or openly.
   • Hinting; suggestive: Conveying an idea or intention in a roundabout, unclear manner, leaving the true meaning open to interpretation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta có thái độ úp mở về kế hoạch tương lai. (He has an equivocal attitude about future plans.)
  • Đừng nói úp mở nữa, hãy cho tôi biết thẳng sự thật. (Stop speaking ambiguously; tell me the truth directly.)
  • Lời đề nghị của họ nghe rất úp mở. (Their proposal sounds very non-committal.)

Advanced Usage

• "úp úp mở mở": A reduplicated form for emphasis, meaning "highly equivocal" or "consistently vague."
  • Suốt buổi phỏng vấn, ứng viên chỉ trả lời úp úp mở mở. (Throughout the interview, the candidate only gave highly equivocal answers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nói mập mờ (v): To speak ambiguously or evasively. This is a close synonym often used in similar contexts.
  • Chính trị gia đó thường nói mập mờ về các vấn đề nhạy cảm. (That politician often speaks ambiguously about sensitive issues.)

Synonyms

• Equivocal: Allowing for multiple interpretations; deliberately ambiguous.
• Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
• Vague: Of uncertain or indefinite character or meaning.
• Non-committal: Not expressing or revealing commitment to a definite opinion or course of action.
• Evasive: Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.

Related Idioms

• Nửa kín nửa hở: Literally "half-closed, half-open," used similarly to describe something that is partially revealed or intentionally unclear.
  • Câu chuyện của cô ấy cứ nửa kín nửa hở, khiến mọi người tò mò. (Her story was half-told, making everyone curious.)

adj

1. equivocal