Meanings of 隐约
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Podcast: 隐约
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AI study notes for 隐约
模糊 (móhū) - use 隐约 when referring to something that is faintly perceived with a sense of mystery, while 模糊 is more general for anything that is unclear or indistinct.
Be careful not to confuse 隐约 with more definitive descriptors like 清晰 (qīng xī, clear) or 明确 (míng què, explicit). It is often used in literary or poetic contexts, so it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Common collocations include '隐约看到' (yǐn yuē kàn dào, to vaguely see) or '隐约听到' (yǐn yuē tīng dào, to faintly hear).
As an HSK Level 6 word, 隐约 connects to other advanced vocabulary that describes perception and emotion. Students should focus on using it in descriptive writing or when discussing subtle nuances in conversations.
Learners often confuse 隐约 with 模糊 (mó hú, blurred), which can imply more confusion. For example, saying '这个图像隐约' (This image is vague) is incorrect; instead, use '这个图像模糊' (This image is blurred).
Pronunciation of 隐约
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Component characters
How to say vague in Chinese
“vague” in Chinese is隐约
隐约 (yǐn yuē) describes something that is not clear or distinctly perceived. It can refer to sounds, images, or ideas that are faint or blurry, often evoking a sense of mystery or uncertainty in various contexts, such as literature, art, or everyday observations.
When to use 隐约
Be careful not to confuse 隐约 with more definitive descriptors like 清晰 (qīng xī, clear) or 明确 (míng què, explicit). It is often used in literary or poetic contexts, so it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Common collocations include '隐约看到' (yǐn yuē kàn dào, to vaguely see) or '隐约听到' (yǐn yuē tīng dào, to faintly hear).
隐约 or something close to it
模糊 (móhū) - use 隐约 when referring to something that is faintly perceived with a sense of mystery, while 模糊 is more general for anything that is unclear or indistinct.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 隐约 with 模糊 (mó hú, blurred), which can imply more confusion. For example, saying '这个图像隐约' (This image is vague) is incorrect; instead, use '这个图像模糊' (This image is blurred).
Write 隐约
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Grammar patterns of 隐约
隐约 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我不断听到____的鼓掌声。
I kept hearing the sound of applause in the background.
Example sentences for 隐约 (6)
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Frequently asked questions about 隐约
No, 隐约 is better suited for describing something that is faint or unclear, rather than strong or intense feelings.
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