Korean word

애매하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationaemaehada

Meaning

  • adjectiveambiguous

Example

그의 말이 애매해서 무슨 뜻인지 모르겠어.keu ui ma ri ae mae hae seo mu seun tteu sin ji mo reu ge sseo

His words are ambiguous, so I don't know what they mean.

Illustration for 애매하다 (ambiguous)

More examples

그의 태도는 애매한 인상을 남겼다.keu ui tae do neun ae mae han in sang eul nam gyeot tta

His attitude left an ambiguous impression.

Core concept

A meaning, answer, or judgment sits between clear choices, so its exact sense is hard to determine.

Common phrases

  • 애매한 상황ae mae han sang hwang

    ambiguous situation

  • 애매한 표현ae mae han pyo hyeon

    ambiguous expression

  • 애매한 태도ae mae han tae do

    ambiguous attitude

Similar words

모호하다mohohada: Expressing an idea so vaguely that its content is difficult to grasp.
불명확하다pulmyeonghwakada: Not clearly established because reliable grounds or limits are missing.
어중간하다eojungganhada: Remaining in an unsettled middle state instead of reaching a definite point.
어정쩡하다eojeongjjeonghada: Failing to act firmly, creating an awkward or out-of-place impression.

Definition in Korean

뜻이나 판단이 분명하지 않아 어느 쪽인지 확실히 말하기 어려운 상태를 이르는 형용사이다.tteu si na pan da ni pun myeong ha ji a na eo neu jjo gin ji hwak ssil hi mal ha gi eo ryeo un sang tae reul i reu neun hyeong yong sa i da

Word origin

It is a Sino-Korean formation whose base expresses a lack of clarity and whose ending forms an adjective.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this word can soften a refusal or leave a decision open, so it may signal more than simple uncertainty.

Other meanings

  • vagueadjective
  • iffyadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 애매성aemaeseongambiguitynoun
  • 애매함aemaehamambiguitynoun

Word lists with this word