opaque
Meaning: Not able to be seen through; not transparent. Figuratively: difficult to understand; obscure or unclear.
Opaque contrasts directly with 'transparent' in both literal and figurative senses. Figuratively, it describes language, processes, or systems that are hard to understand or lacking in openness. It is frequently used to criticise institutional secrecy or unnecessarily complex communication. It collocates with 'language,' 'glass,' 'process,' 'system,' 'reasoning,' and 'to.'
Examples
- The legal language in the contract was so opaque that even solicitors struggled to interpret it. 合同中的法律用语晦涩难懂,连律师都难以解读。La terminología jurídica del contrato era tan opaca que incluso los abogados tenían dificultades para interpretarla.契約書の法律用語は非常に不透明で、弁護士でさえ解釈に苦労しました。계약서의 법률 용어가 너무 불투명하여 변호사조차 해석에 어려움을 겪었다.
- The company's opaque accounting practices raised serious concerns among regulators. 该公司不透明的会计做法引起了监管机构的严重关切。Las opacas prácticas contables de la empresa despertaron serias inquietudes entre los reguladores.同社の不透明な会計慣行は、規制当局の間で深刻な懸念を引き起こしました。그 회사의 불투명한 회계 관행은 규제 당국 사이에서 심각한 우려를 불러일으켰다.
- She applied a coat of opaque white paint to conceal the original colour underneath. 她涂上了一层不透明的白色油漆以遮盖下面的原色。Aplicó una capa de pintura blanca opaca para ocultar el color original de debajo.彼女は下の元の色を隠すために不透明な白いペンキを一層塗りました。그녀는 아래의 원래 색상을 가리기 위해 불투명한 흰색 페인트를 한 겹 칠했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general, academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin opacus (shaded, dark, shady). Entered English via French opaque in the late 15th century. The figurative sense of 'hard to understand' developed by the early 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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