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불명확하다

A2 adjective #5,500 most common 3 min read

불명확하다

bulmyeonghwakhada Top 5,500

When something is 불명확하다, it means it's not clear or easy to understand. Imagine trying to see through a foggy window; the view is 불명확하다. You might use this word to describe instructions that are hard to follow, or a situation where the details are vague and uncertain. It suggests a lack of clarity that makes it difficult to get a full grasp of something. This word is very useful when you want to express that something is ambiguous or imprecise.

When something is 불명확하다 (bulmyeonghwakhada), it means it's not clear or definite. Think of it like a hazy photograph or a confusing set of instructions.

It can describe situations where information is ambiguous, making it difficult to understand or decide. For example, if the weather forecast is 불명확하다, you might not know whether to bring an umbrella. Similarly, if someone's explanation is 불명확하다, it's hard to grasp their point.

Practice it Examples

§ What '불명확하다' Means

DEFINITION: To be unclear; ambiguous; vague. It's an adjective used to describe situations, statements, or information that lacks clarity, making it difficult to understand or interpret.

This Korean word, 불명확하다 (bulmyeonghwakhada), is a very practical term to know. It directly translates to 'to be unclear,' 'ambiguous,' or 'vague.' You'll find it incredibly useful when you need to express that something isn't well-defined or easy to grasp. It's often used when there's a lack of specific detail or when information is open to multiple interpretations.

§ Where You Actually Hear This Word

불명확하다 is a word you'll encounter in many real-life situations. It's not overly formal, but it carries a sense of precision, making it common in contexts where clarity is important. Let's look at some common scenarios:

At Work: In professional settings, clear communication is crucial. If instructions are vague, or a report isn't specific enough, you'll hear this word.
At School: Students and teachers often use this word when discussing assignments, explanations, or research findings that aren't well-defined.
In the News: When reporting on events, policies, or statements, news outlets often use 불명확하다 to describe situations where facts are not yet confirmed or details are missing.

Understanding these contexts will help you not only recognize the word but also use it appropriately in your own Korean conversations.

§ Examples in Context

Here are some practical examples of how 불명확하다 is used in different situations:

그의 설명은 너무 불명확해서 이해하기 어려웠어요. (His explanation was too unclear, so it was hard to understand.)

Here, the speaker is expressing difficulty in understanding due to the lack of clarity in someone's explanation. This is a common complaint in both academic and professional settings.

새로운 정책의 내용이 아직 불명확합니다. (The details of the new policy are still unclear.)

This example is typical in a work environment or in news reporting. It indicates that the specific aspects or implications of a new policy are not yet well-defined or communicated.

시험 문제가 불명확해서 학생들이 많이 혼란스러워했어요. (The exam question was unclear, so many students were confused.)

A classic school scenario! An ambiguous question can lead to a lot of frustration and misunderstanding among students. This shows how crucial clarity is in educational contexts.

By paying attention to these real-world uses, you'll not only expand your vocabulary but also gain a better understanding of how Koreans express the idea of something being vague or unclear. Keep practicing these examples, and you'll be using 불명확하다 like a pro in no time!

Examples by Level

저의 대답이 불명확했어요?

Was my answer unclear?

그것은 불명확한 계획이에요.

That is an unclear plan.

이 표시는 불명확해요.

This sign is ambiguous.

그의 말은 불명확했어요.

His words were vague.

이 지도는 너무 불명확해요.

This map is too unclear.

그녀의 설명은 불명확했어요.

Her explanation was ambiguous.

왜 그렇게 불명확하게 말해요?

Why do you speak so vaguely?

이 규칙은 조금 불명확해요.

This rule is a little unclear.

Often Confused With

불명확하다 vs 확실하지 않다

While '불명확하다' is about clarity, '확실하지 않다' (not certain/sure) is about certainty or confidence. Something can be clear but not certain, or unclear and therefore uncertain.

불명확하다 vs 알 수 없다

'알 수 없다' (cannot know/don't know) refers to the inability to know something. This could be because it's '불명확하다', but it could also be due to lack of information or simply not having been told.

불명확하다 vs 모르겠다

'모르겠다' (I don't know) is a personal statement of not knowing. While something being '불명확하다' might lead to you saying '모르겠다', they are not direct synonyms. '불명확하다' describes the state of something, while '모르겠다' describes your knowledge about it.

Grammar Patterns

~(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 (It seems/looks like) ~아/어서 (Because/So) ~기 어렵다 (It is difficult to) ~(으)ㄹ 때 (When) ~(이)라는 점 (The point that...) ~더라도 (Even if) ~도록 노력하다 (To try to do) ~(으)면 (If/When)

Idioms & Expressions

"귀신같다"

To be ghostly/supernatural; used to describe something very accurate or precise, like a ghost's prediction.

그녀의 예측은 귀신같다. (Her prediction is super accurate.)

neutral

"눈 깜짝할 사이에"

In the blink of an eye; very quickly.

눈 깜짝할 사이에 사라졌어. (It disappeared in the blink of an eye.)

neutral

"발 벗고 나서다"

To roll up one's sleeves and get to work; to actively participate and help out.

그 문제를 해결하기 위해 발 벗고 나섰다. (He actively stepped up to solve that problem.)

neutral

"손발이 맞다"

To work well together; to be in sync.

우리 팀은 손발이 아주 잘 맞는다. (Our team works very well together.)

neutral

"입이 짧다"

To be a picky eater; to have a small appetite.

우리 아들은 입이 짧아서 걱정이다. (My son is a picky eater, so I'm worried.)

neutral

"어깨가 무겁다"

To have heavy shoulders; to feel a great responsibility or burden.

새로운 프로젝트를 맡으니 어깨가 무겁다. (Taking on a new project makes my shoulders feel heavy.)

neutral

"배보다 배꼽이 더 크다"

The belly button is bigger than the belly; the subordinate thing is bigger than the main thing (i.e., the cost of something incidental is greater than the cost of the main item).

배보다 배꼽이 더 큰 상황이야. (It's a situation where the incidental cost is greater than the main cost.)

neutral

"식은 죽 먹기"

Like eating cold porridge; something very easy to do.

그 일은 나에게 식은 죽 먹기야. (That work is like eating cold porridge to me.)

neutral

"발목을 잡다"

To grab one's ankle; to hold someone back or hinder their progress.

과거의 실수가 그의 발목을 잡았다. (Past mistakes held him back.)

neutral

"하늘이 노랗다"

The sky is yellow; to be in a state of shock, despair, or extreme difficulty.

그 소식을 듣고 하늘이 노랬다. (Upon hearing that news, I was in utter despair.)

neutral

Easily Confused

불명확하다 vs 모호하다

Both '불명확하다' and '모호하다' can mean 'unclear' or 'vague.'

'불명확하다' often refers to something that lacks clarity or precision due to insufficient information or definition. '모호하다' suggests ambiguity due to a lack of distinctness or a blurred meaning, often implying intentional vagueness or difficulty in discerning the true meaning.

그의 답변은 모호해서 무슨 뜻인지 알 수 없었다. (His answer was vague, so I couldn't understand what he meant.)

불명확하다 vs 애매하다

Similar to '모호하다', '애매하다' also translates to 'vague' or 'ambiguous.'

'애매하다' is very close to '모호하다' in meaning. It often implies a situation or statement that is hard to categorize or define precisely, leading to uncertainty or indecision. It can also be used when something is neither one thing nor another, sitting in a grey area.

질문이 너무 애매해서 대답하기 어려웠다. (The question was too vague, so it was hard to answer.)

불명확하다 vs 분명하지 않다

This phrase literally means 'not clear' or 'not obvious,' which aligns with the meaning of '불명확하다.'

While '불명확하다' is a single adjective, '분명하지 않다' is a descriptive phrase. They are often interchangeable in meaning. '불명확하다' might sound slightly more formal or academic than '분명하지 않다.'

그의 의도가 분명하지 않아서 혼란스러웠다. (His intention wasn't clear, so I was confused.)

불명확하다 vs 뚜렷하지 않다

This phrase means 'not distinct' or 'not prominent,' which can lead to something being unclear.

'뚜렷하지 않다' specifically refers to a lack of distinctness or sharpness, often in visual or auditory contexts, or when details are not well-defined. '불명확하다' is broader and can apply to concepts, information, or situations lacking clarity.

사진이 뚜렷하지 않아서 얼굴을 알아볼 수 없었다. (The photo wasn't clear, so I couldn't recognize the face.)

불명확하다 vs 불분명하다

This word directly means 'unclear' or 'indistinct,' making it very similar to '불명확하다.'

'불분명하다' and '불명확하다' are nearly synonymous and often interchangeable. '불분명하다' emphasizes a lack of distinctness or clarity, while '불명확하다' emphasizes a lack of precision or definite meaning. The nuance is very subtle and in many contexts, either can be used.

발음이 불분명해서 무슨 말인지 이해하기 어려웠다. (The pronunciation was unclear, so it was hard to understand what was said.)

Sentence Patterns

[명사]이/가 불명확하다.

답이 불명확해요. (The answer is unclear.)

[명사]이/가 너무 불명확해요.

설명이 너무 불명확해요. (The explanation is too vague.)

[명사]이/가 불명확한 것 같아요.

정보가 불명확한 것 같아요. (The information seems unclear.)

[명사]이/가 불명확해서 [동사/형용사]아요/어요.

계획이 불명확해서 걱정돼요. (I'm worried because the plan is vague.)

[명사]이/가 불명확해서 [동사]기 어려워요.

질문이 불명확해서 대답하기 어려워요. (It's hard to answer because the question is ambiguous.)

[명사]이/가 불명확할 때 [동사]아야/어야 해요.

내용이 불명확할 때 다시 물어봐야 해요. (When the content is unclear, you should ask again.)

[명사]이/가 불명확하다는 점이 문제예요.

의견이 불명확하다는 점이 문제예요. (The problem is that the opinion is unclear.)

[명사]이/가 불명확하더라도 [동사]도록 노력해야 해요.

목표가 불명확하더라도 최선을 다하도록 노력해야 해요. (Even if the goal is vague, you should try your best.)

Test Yourself 36 questions

fill blank A1

그의 설명이 너무 ___ 이해하기 어려웠어요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확했다

The sentence implies that the explanation was hard to understand, so 'unclear' (불명확했다) fits best.

fill blank A1

저는 그 메시지가 좀 ___ 생각해요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확하다고

The speaker thinks the message is a bit 'unclear' (불명확하다고).

fill blank A1

질문이 ___ 다시 설명해 주세요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

If the question is 'unclear' (불명확해서), it needs to be explained again.

fill blank A1

그 계획은 아직 ___ 부분이 많아요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확한

The plan still has many 'unclear' (불명확한) parts.

fill blank A1

제 발표가 ___ 죄송합니다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

Apologizing for an 'unclear' (불명확해서) presentation makes sense.

fill blank A1

답변이 너무 ___ 무슨 말인지 모르겠어요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

If the answer is 'unclear' (불명확해서), you wouldn't know what it means.

sentence order A2

Tap words below to build the sentence

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 그 설명은 불명확하다.

This sentence means 'That explanation is unclear.'

sentence order A2

Tap words below to build the sentence

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 질문이 불명확해서 답하기 어렵다.

This sentence means 'The question is unclear, so it's hard to answer.'

sentence order A2

Tap words below to build the sentence

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 계획이 아직 불명확해요.

This sentence means 'The plan is still vague.'

fill blank B1

그의 설명은 너무 ___ 우리는 아무것도 이해할 수 없었다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확했다

문맥상 '이해할 수 없었다'는 설명이 불분명했다는 의미이므로 '불명확했다'가 가장 적절합니다.

fill blank B1

계획이 아직 ___ 회의를 한 번 더 해야 할 것 같아요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

회의를 한 번 더 해야 하는 이유는 계획이 아직 불분명하기 때문입니다. 따라서 '불명확해서'가 맞습니다.

fill blank B1

선생님의 지시가 ___ 학생들이 혼란스러워했습니다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

학생들이 혼란스러워했다는 것은 선생님의 지시가 불분명했음을 의미합니다. '불명확해서'가 적절합니다.

fill blank B1

미래에 대한 그의 말은 항상 ___ 우리는 그의 의도를 알기 어려웠다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

의도를 알기 어려웠다는 것은 그의 말이 불분명했음을 나타냅니다. '불명확해서'가 문맥에 맞습니다.

fill blank B1

새로운 규정이 너무 ___ 사람들은 어떻게 해야 할지 몰랐습니다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

사람들이 어떻게 해야 할지 몰랐다는 것은 새로운 규정이 불분명했기 때문입니다. '불명확해서'가 올바른 답입니다.

fill blank B1

보고서의 결론이 다소 ___ 다시 작성해야 할 것 같습니다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불명확해서

보고서의 결론이 불분명해서 다시 작성해야 한다는 문맥이므로 '불명확해서'가 가장 적절합니다.

listening B2

The speaker is talking about a difficult explanation.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 그의 설명은 너무 불명확해서 이해하기 어려웠습니다.