含含糊糊 (hán hán hu hū) — vague and ambiguous; unclear and evasive

Definition

Reduplicated adverb meaning 'vague and evasive' — used for speech, writing, or answers that dodge the point rather than state it clearly. Often modifies verbs like 说、回答、表达 to describe an unclear delivery.

bound form
vague and ambiguousunclear and evasive

Examples

  • 含含糊糊,。
    Tā shuō huà zǒng shì hán hán hu hū de, ràng rén tīng bù míng bái.
    He always speaks vaguely, making it hard to understand.
  • 含含糊糊,。
    Nà fēng xìn xiě dé hán hán hu hū, kàn bù chū tā de zhēn shí xiǎng fǎ.
    That letter was written ambiguously, it's hard to tell his real thoughts.
  • 含含糊糊,。
    Bié hán hán hu hū dì huí dá, qǐng zhí jiē gào sù wǒ nǐ de jué dìng.
    Don't answer evasively; please tell me your decision directly.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

含含indistinct
含hánindistinct含hánindistinct
糊糊muddled
糊húmuddled糊húmuddled

The repeated characters 含 and 糊 intensify the sense of being vague and unclear.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
今
今jīn含hán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

含 is built from 口 (mouth) and 今 (jīn). The 口 part is about the mouth, while 今 gives the sound.

Open 含 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
今
今jīn含hán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

含 is built from 口 (mouth) and 今 (jīn). The 口 part is about the mouth, while 今 gives the sound.

Open 含 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
胡
胡hú糊hú
Same sound today

糊 pairs 米 (rice) with 胡 (hú), which gives the sound. The 米 part relates to the meaning.

Open 糊 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
胡
胡hú糊hú
Same sound today

糊 pairs 米 (rice) with 胡 (hú), which gives the sound. The 米 part relates to the meaning.

Open 糊 →

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