Translation guide
How to express that something is not clear, ambiguous, or hard to understand in Japanese.
The most common meaning: something is confusing, vague, or hard to grasp.
When the truth, outcome, or fact is not clear or is uncertain.
When something is physically indistinct, blurry, or muffled.
はっきりしない is the most colloquial and general. 不明 is formal and often used in reports or news. 曖昧 implies intentional vagueness or ambiguity.
彼の態度は曖昧だ。
His attitude is ambiguous.
The cause is unclear.
Common everyday phrase meaning 'not clear' or 'vague'. Used for statements, explanations, or situations.
彼の説明ははっきりしなかった。
His explanation was unclear.
Means 'unclear' or 'indistinct', often for speech, writing, or images. More formal than はっきりしない.
音声が不明瞭で聞き取れない。
The audio is unclear and I can't make it out.
Means 'ambiguous' or 'vague'. Often used for statements, memories, or boundaries.
彼の返事は曖昧だった。
His reply was unclear/ambiguous.
Means 'uncertain' or 'unclear'. Used for information, future events, or facts.
その情報は不確かだ。
That information is unclear/uncertain.
Literally 'is not clear'. Very common in speech.
まだはっきりしていない。
It's still unclear.
Formal term for 'unclear' or 'ill-defined', often used in legal or technical contexts.
規則が不明確だ。
The rules are unclear.
Used for images, photos, or sounds that are unclear or blurry.
写真が不鮮明だ。
The photo is unclear.
Means 'is blurry' or 'is fuzzy'. Common for vision or images.
画面がぼやけている。
The screen is unclear/blurry.
Specifically for unclear audio: 'hard to catch/hear'.
音声が聞き取りにくい。
The audio is unclear/hard to hear.