How to translate "暧昧" into English?

Question

Many dictionaries translate it to "ambiguity",but it looks so indefinitely.

I'm looking for more expressive answer.

Answer 1

Depending on context, 暧昧[pronounced as ài mèi] can take on a few meanings. The following is quoted from Baidu with some explanations in English:

1. （态度、用意）含糊；不明白。(attitude or intent is unclear or incomprehensible)
2. （行为）不光明；不可告人。(behavior is dishonorable or secretive, like having an illicit affair)
3. 男女或同性肉体关系还处于想象段。(at the non-physical stage of a relationship, that is, in between friendship and intimate relationship)
4. 男女或同性关系还未发展到恋人关系，但是行为举止和恋人关系差不多。(same as 3)

暧昧 is usually used to describe a kind of ambiguous relationship that is neither here nor there. It is not necessarily a negative word.

Answer 2

(someone1) flirt with (someone2). 玩暧昧，玩调情

Answer 3

暧昧 is a kind of relationship between women and men; it exists in friendship, but the degree is higher than friendship; it’s almost love but has not become love yet.

I don’t think there is a perfect English word which can perfectly express its meaning. Actually, we can’t always find a correct word which has the exact same meaning in another language.

Answer 4

I'd say its similar to being flirtatious with someone, but it's more Chinese culture related.

Because Chinese culture puts emphasis on being indirect, the relationship between a men and women can be somewhat unclear. 暧昧 describes the relationship of two people between "friendship" and "partnership". Think of two people with mutual affection but haven't told each other their feelings. I know it is also common in western world but I would say it exists more in Chinese couples.

Answer 5

Common ways of 暧昧 use: When you see a guy and a girl are flirting with each other but they denied that they are in a relationship. You call that 暧昧.

It means the relationship of two people that you assume they are feeling affectionate towards each other.

To me, ambiguity is not right word for that.

Answer 6

I think "suggestive" is a good alternative.

Answer 7

In the context of relationships, a ShuoshuoChinese说说中文 YouTube video These Chinese Concepts Are Totally Different from Western Culture! -Chinese DATING Words and Culture (starting ~1:07) describes 暧昧:

The ambiguous and non-physical stage in a relationship, it is in between friendship and intimate relationship.

The example they give is:

最近我在跟一个男的暧昧，
I'm "aimeiing" with this guy recently,

你看，这是他发给我的。
Look he sent me this.

你觉得他怎么想？
What do you think he meant by this?

Answer 8

This is an old question! I was young and handsome back then! It all went pear-shaped!!

I would define 暧昧 like this: A close, possibly sexual, relationship, in which the parties do not openly declare their positions. Thus, ambiguous by dint of dearth of information.

他们的关系很暧昧。
Their relationship is very close, but apparently they are not a couple.

谣传他们之间关系暧昧。
Rumour has it they are having an affair.

他态度非常友好，但是态度暧昧。
His attitude is very friendly, but noncommittal.

我们离暧昧很近，可是离爱情，似乎又好远。
We're close to being close friends, but far from being lovers.

Answer 9

Personally it is a "shady relationship", although I am not a local english speaker.

Answer 10

I would change upon different circumstances. When it's about a state of relationship, I would say amorous ambiguity, but when it's an adjective I would say it's blurred, ambiguous, or unclear.