模糊

• Pinyin: mó hu
• Hanzi breakdown: 模 = 木 (wood) + 莫, pattern; 糊 = 米 (rice) + 胡 (barbarian), paste

Meaning

Blurry; vague; indistinct. Lacking clarity or definition.

Describes visual blurriness, unclear memories, or vague concepts. Can also be used as a verb meaning to blur or obscure. Common in contexts ranging from eyesight to abstract ideas.

Examples

1. 照片拍得太模糊了，完全看不清人脸。 The photo is too blurry; you can't see the face clearly at all.
2. 时间久了，记忆变得越来越模糊。 As time passes, memories become increasingly vague.
3. 他的回答很模糊，没有直接正面回应问题。 His answer was very vague; he didn't directly address the question.

Usage Guide

Context: vision, memory, communication

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我眼睛花了，看东西有点模糊。(My eyes are blurry; things look a bit unclear.)
• 这个概念还是很模糊，需要进一步解释。(This concept is still vague and needs further explanation.)

Don't Say

• 天气很模糊。(For unclear weather, use 阴沉 or 雾蒙蒙 — 模糊 doesn't describe weather)

Origin & History

模 (mó, model/pattern) + 糊 (hú, paste/unclear). Pattern obscured by paste; indistinct.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal