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hán 含 hu 糊 qí 其 cí 辞

含糊其辞 hán hu qí cí

to speak evasively; to be deliberately vague

Literally: vague its words

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. The form 含糊其词 is attested in Qing-era memorials and fiction.

How to use it

Predicate or adverbial; negative. Often 对关键问题含糊其辞.

Example sentences

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  1. 记者追问事故原因时,负责人含糊其辞,不肯正面回答。
    Jìzhě zhuīwèn shìgù yuányīn shí, fùzérén hán hu qí cí, bù kěn zhèngmiàn huídá.
    When reporters pressed for the cause of the accident, the person in charge was evasive and refused to answer directly.
    reporter press-ask accident cause time, responsible person vague its words, not willing directly answer
  2. 合同条款不能含糊其辞,否则日后容易产生纠纷。
    Hétong tiáokuǎn bù néng hán hu qí cí, fǒuzé rìhòu róngyì chǎnshēng jiūfēn.
    Contract clauses must not be vague, or disputes will easily arise later.
    contract clause not can vague its words, otherwise later easy produce dispute

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