Definition
暧昧 (àimèi) describes speech or attitudes that are deliberately vague or equivocal, often with a suggestive or shady tone. It also uniquely covers relationships that are romantically ambiguous — a meaning that 模糊 (móhu, vague/indistinct) and 含糊 (hánhu, vague/ambiguous) do not share. 模糊 is about lack of clarity in images or concepts, while 含糊 can be carelessly vague rather than intentionally suggestive.
adjective
ambiguousequivocal (of words, attitudes, or behavior)(of a relationship) romantically or sexually ambiguousshadyillicit
Examples
- 暧昧，。Tā de huídá hěn ài mèi, ràng rén bù zhīdào tā dàodǐ tóngyì háishì fǎnduì.His answer was very ambiguous, leaving people unsure whether he agreed or opposed.
- 暧昧，。Tāmen liǎ de guānxi yìzhí hěn ài mèi, shéi yě méi shuō qīngchu shì bú shì zài tán liàn'ài.Their relationship has always been ambiguous; no one has made clear whether they are dating.
- 暧昧，。Zhè zhǒng ài mèi de tàidu zài tánpàn zhōng hěn chángjiàn, mùdì shì liú yǒu yúdì.This kind of equivocal attitude is common in negotiations; the purpose is to leave room for maneuver.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.