vaga resposta
vague answer
Use it to describe any reply that leaves you wondering what the person actually meant.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- An unclear or non-committal reply to a direct question.
- Commonly used with the verb 'dar' (to give).
- Used in both professional and casual social situations.
معنی
This is what you call it when someone gives you an answer that doesn't actually answer your question. It's that frustrating moment when someone is being evasive, unclear, or just plain non-committal.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Talking about a job interview
O gerente me deu uma vaga resposta sobre o salário.
The manager gave me a vague answer about the salary.
Asking a friend about their weekend plans
Eu perguntei se ela vinha, mas recebi apenas uma vaga resposta.
I asked if she was coming, but I only received a vague answer.
Texting about a crush
Mandei mensagem para ele, mas a resposta foi muito vaga.
I messaged him, but the answer was very vague.
زمینه فرهنگی
In many Lusophone cultures, direct confrontation is often avoided to maintain social harmony. Consequently, providing a 'vaga resposta' is a common social lubricant used to decline invitations or delay decisions without causing immediate offense. It reflects a cultural preference for 'jeitinho' and flexibility over rigid 'yes' or 'no' binaries.
Watch the Gender
Remember that 'resposta' is feminine. Even if a man is speaking, he gives a 'vaga resposta', never a 'vago resposta'.
Not just 'Vague'
While 'vaga' means vague, in this specific collocation, it often implies the person is intentionally being difficult, not just confused.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- An unclear or non-committal reply to a direct question.
- Commonly used with the verb 'dar' (to give).
- Used in both professional and casual social situations.
What It Means
Vaga resposta describes a reply that lacks detail or certainty. It is the linguistic equivalent of a shrug. You use it when someone is avoiding the point. It can be intentional or just a sign of confusion. Either way, you are left wanting more information.
How To Use It
You treat this as a standard noun phrase. You can 'give' a vaga resposta or 'receive' one. Use the verb dar (to give) most often. For example, 'Ele me deu uma vaga resposta.' It fits perfectly in sentences where you feel unsatisfied with an explanation. It is simple, direct, and very common in daily life.
When To Use It
Use it when a politician avoids a question on TV. Use it when your crush won't commit to a date. It is perfect for professional emails when a client is being mysterious. You can also use it when texting friends about a confusing conversation. It works whenever the facts are missing.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if someone is being silent. Silence isn't a vaga resposta; it's just silence. Also, avoid it if the answer is wrong but specific. If someone says 'The moon is made of cheese,' that is a wrong answer, not a vague one. Keep it for those 'maybe' or 'we'll see' moments.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers often value 'educação' (politeness) over bluntness. Sometimes, being vague is a way to avoid saying 'no' directly. Giving a vaga resposta is a common social tactic to save face. It is part of the subtle dance of Brazilian and Portuguese social cues. Understanding this helps you read between the lines.
Common Variations
You might hear resposta evasiva for something more suspicious. People also say resposta imprecisa in more technical or academic settings. If you want to be more informal, you can say someone is 'saindo pela tangente.' But vaga resposta remains the most versatile and natural choice for everyone.
نکات کاربردی
This phrase is highly versatile and works across all levels of formality. The main thing to remember is the noun-adjective agreement: 'vaga' must always be feminine to match 'resposta'.
Watch the Gender
Remember that 'resposta' is feminine. Even if a man is speaking, he gives a 'vaga resposta', never a 'vago resposta'.
Not just 'Vague'
While 'vaga' means vague, in this specific collocation, it often implies the person is intentionally being difficult, not just confused.
The 'Talvez' Culture
In Brazil, a 'vaga resposta' like 'vamos ver' (we'll see) is often a polite 'no'. Don't always take it literally!
مثالها
6O gerente me deu uma vaga resposta sobre o salário.
The manager gave me a vague answer about the salary.
Common in professional settings where details are withheld.
Eu perguntei se ela vinha, mas recebi apenas uma vaga resposta.
I asked if she was coming, but I only received a vague answer.
Shows social uncertainty or lack of commitment.
Mandei mensagem para ele, mas a resposta foi muito vaga.
I messaged him, but the answer was very vague.
Expresses frustration in modern dating contexts.
Quando perguntei sobre a lição, ele deu uma vaga resposta e saiu.
When I asked about the homework, he gave a vague answer and left.
Used when someone is clearly hiding something.
O político evitou o assunto com uma vaga resposta.
The politician avoided the subject with a vague answer.
Standard way to critique public speaking.
Estou cansado de suas vagas respostas; preciso de uma decisão.
I'm tired of your vague answers; I need a decision.
Used when emotions are high and clarity is needed.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase describing an unclear reply.
Não entendi o que ele quer; ele me deu uma ___ resposta.
The noun 'resposta' is feminine, so the adjective must be 'vaga'.
Which verb is most commonly used with this phrase?
O chefe ___ uma vaga resposta sobre o bônus.
In Portuguese, you 'give' (dar) an answer, just like in English.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Vaga Resposta'
Talking to friends about a text.
Que resposta vaga!
Standard daily use.
Ele deu uma vaga resposta.
Reporting on a meeting or news.
A empresa forneceu uma vaga resposta.
Where you'll hear 'Vaga Resposta'
Job Interviews
Salary talk
Dating
Non-committal texts
Politics
Avoiding questions
Parenting
Kids hiding things
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNot necessarily. It describes the answer, not the person. However, telling someone 'Você está sendo vago' (You are being vague) can be a bit confrontational.
Yes, it is perfectly professional. You might say 'A resposta foi um pouco vaga' to politely ask for more details.
The opposite would be a resposta direta (direct answer) or resposta clara (clear answer).
It comes from the same root, but here it specifically means imprecise or blurry. Think of it as a 'hollow' answer.
You say Ele me deu uma vaga resposta. It follows the same structure as English.
You could say someone is enrolando. If someone gives a vague answer to stall, they are enrolando (rolling/tangling you up).
Yes, you can say Ele é muito vago, meaning he is generally an imprecise or non-committal person.
Absolutely. A vague email or a vague paragraph in a book can be described as having vagas informações or being a vaga resposta to a query.
Yes, it is standard Portuguese used in all Lusophone countries with the same meaning.
Yes! Vaga resposta and resposta vaga are both correct. Putting the adjective first (vaga resposta) sounds slightly more stylistic or emphatic.
عبارات مرتبط
Sair pela tangente
To go off on a tangent / avoid a question
Resposta na ponta da língua
A ready/quick answer
Sem rodeios
Without beating around the bush
Ficar em cima do muro
To be on the fence / undecided
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