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模棱

English translation: ambiguity


GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Chinese term or phrase:模棱
English translation:ambiguity
Entered by: Edward Wang
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09:57 May 25, 2005Login or register (free) for more options.
Chinese to English translations [Non-PRO]
Poetry & Literature
Chinese term or phrase: 模棱
from a Chinese idiom 模棱两可
(please describe what 模棱 literally means, if it refers to an object, a link to a picture will be appreciated! Thank you very much)
suzanna
FYI
Explanation:
模棱两可:ambiguous, betwixt and between, fence sitting in an equivocal way
"模棱" in that idiom doesn't refer to an object, but means ambiguity, uncertainty, indeterminacy.
Hope that it may help you!

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Note added at 1 hr 8 mins (2005-05-25 11:05:58 GMT)
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In Chinese, \"模棱\" means \"含糊, 不明确\"; while \"两可\" means \"这样可以,那样也可以\".
Selected response from:

Edward Wang
China
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Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5FYI
Edward Wang
3FYI origin of the idiom = '但模棱以持两端可矣'lai an


  

Answers

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
模棱
FYI


Explanation:
模棱两可:ambiguous, betwixt and between, fence sitting in an equivocal way
"模棱" in that idiom doesn't refer to an object, but means ambiguity, uncertainty, indeterminacy.
Hope that it may help you!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 8 mins (2005-05-25 11:05:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In Chinese, \"模棱\" means \"含糊, 不明确\"; while \"两可\" means \"这样可以,那样也可以\".

Edward Wang
China
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ray Luo: 模棱两可: cut both ways
3 hrs
  -> Thx Ray!

agree  wherestip
3 hrs
  -> Thx wherestip.

agree  xxxTwinpens
3 hrs
  -> thank u Chunbiao.

agree  stonejohn
5 hrs
  -> Thx John.

agree  Lin Yang
8 hrs
  -> Thx gladbeach.
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3 days14 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
模棱
FYI origin of the idiom = '但模棱以持两端可矣'


Explanation:
You might be onto something - they (模 and 棱) seem to be nouns originally, (something like 正 and 反 maybe? it could be about dies perhaps). maybe translate: be prepared to go either way, keep your options open, don't commit yourself either way (see the origin of the idiom below).

模棱两可: 模棱 = 对问题正反两面含含糊糊,不表示明确的态度; 两可 = 这样也可以,那样也可以. (=> 两个同义词机构). 形容对一件事情的两方面都不肯定,没有明确的态度,或没有明确的主张.记载,苏味道曾经同别人说:处事不要明确的决断,'但模棱以持两端可矣'.当时的人因此都叫他做"苏模棱".(上海教育出版社"汉语成语词典")

Perhaps another peer can give a translation of '模棱以持两端可' ...it could be simply two synonyms once again,模棱 and 以持两端 ...

模棱 = (态度,意见等)含糊,不明确:模棱两可 = 不肯定也不否定(现代汉语词典)
模棱 = 意见或语言含糊,不肯定:模棱两可(新华字典)
模棱两可 = to cut both ways (是指所说的话或所持的态度); to sit on the fence (是指人)(江苏人民出版社:汉英成语手册)

However, I don't think 'to cut both ways' works in English. It should be ambiguous or noncommital (attitude, view or language). 'To cut both ways' is possibly an attempt to reflect the original idiom though.

lai an
New Zealand
Local time: 17:05
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 48
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