ambiguo
“ambiguo” means “ambiguous” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
ambiguous
Also: vague, unclear
📝 In Action
El final de la película es muy ambiguo.
A2The end of the movie is very ambiguous.
Su respuesta fue ambigua y no entendí sus intenciones.
B1Their answer was vague and I didn't understand their intentions.
Debemos evitar el lenguaje ambiguo en este contrato legal.
C1We must avoid ambiguous language in this legal contract.
non-committal
Also: indecisive
📝 In Action
Es un político muy ambiguo que nunca toma partido.
B2He is a very non-committal politician who never takes a side.
No seas tan ambiguo, dime si te gusta el plan o no.
B1Don't be so non-committal, tell me if you like the plan or not.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ambiguo
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence describes a masculine object correctly?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'ambiguus.' It comes from 'ambi-' (meaning both sides) and 'agere' (to drive or lead). The literal idea is 'driving in two directions at once,' which perfectly describes something with two meanings.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'ambiguo' always mean something bad?
Not necessarily. In art or literature, being 'ambiguo' can be seen as a good thing because it makes the audience think. However, in legal papers or directions, it is usually considered bad.
What's the difference between 'vago' and 'ambiguo'?
'Vago' (vague) usually means there isn't enough information. 'Ambiguo' means there is information, but it can be understood in two different ways.
How do I make it plural?
Just add an 's'! Use 'ambiguos' for masculine groups and 'ambiguas' for feminine groups.