unclearly
/ʌnˈklɪə.li/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈklɪr.li/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈklir How to pronounce unclear (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unclearly — 副詞
1. spoken, written, or shown so unclearly that the meaning is hard to see, hear, or
模糊地
難以看清、聽清或理解地
spoken, written, or shown so unclearly that the meaning is hard to see, hear, or understand
The photo showed the building unclearly, so Quinn could not tell which street it was.
那張照片模糊地顯示出那棟建築物，所以 Quinn 無法判斷是哪條街。
unclearly + verb of perception (showed)
Marco remembered the events of that night only unclearly, mixing up dates and names.
Marco 對那晚發生的事情只有模糊的記憶，把日期和名字都搞混了。
remember + unclearly — vague recollection
The instructions were written unclearly, and many users called the help line for assistance.
這些說明書寫得不清楚，許多使用者打電話到客服專線求助。
The tour guide spoke unclearly through the microphone, and several visitors missed the announcement.
導遊透過麥克風說話模糊不清，好幾位遊客錯過了廣播內容。
- indistinctly
more formal, used especially for sounds and shapes
- vaguely
emphasises lack of detail or precision
- ambiguously
focuses on having more than one possible meaning
- clearly
direct opposite in all contexts
用法筆記
Frequently pairs with verbs of perception and communication: see, hear, speak, write, remember.
常見錯誤
unclearly — 形容詞
- unclearlypositive
- more unclearlycomparative
- most unclearlysuperlative
1. not easy to see, read, or hear — used about writing, images, sounds, or shapes t
不清楚的
不易看清或聽清的
not easy to see, read, or hear — used about writing, images, sounds, or shapes that are hard to make out clearly
The doctor's handwriting was unclear, so the pharmacist called to check the dosage.
醫生處方箋上的字跡不清楚，所以藥劑師打電話確認劑量。
be + unclear — describing writing
Through the rain, Yuki tried to read the sign, but the letters were unclear.
Yuki 在雨中試著看那個標誌，但字母看不清楚。
The photo on the old phone was unclear because the lens was scratched.
舊手機上的照片不清楚，因為鏡頭刮傷了。
The bird photo was unclear because Noa moved the camera while pressing the button.
那張鳥的照片不清楚，因為 Noa 按快門時動到了相機。
- illegible
specifically of writing that cannot be read
- indistinct
more formal, of shapes or sounds lacking definition
- faint
emphasises lack of strength in sound or mark
- clear
direct opposite; easy to see or hear
文法句型
unclear + noun
be/seem/remain + unclear
用法筆記
Usually describes the thing being perceived (writing, voice, image), not the person perceiving it — compare sense 3.
常見錯誤
2. not clearly expressed or explained, so that the intended meaning is difficult to
很難懂的
說或寫得不清楚，很不好懂
not clearly expressed or explained, so that the intended meaning is difficult to grasp
Caio's explanation of the science project was unclear, leaving the teacher with more questions.
Caio 對科學專案的解釋不清楚，讓老師問了更多問題。
It is still unclear why the company decided to cancel the contract without warning.
目前仍不清楚那家公司為何無預警取消合約。
it is unclear + wh-clause
The email contained several unclear instructions, so Karim called his manager to check.
那封電子郵件裡有幾項不清楚的指示，所以 Karim 打電話給主管確認。
The politician's speech on tax reform was unclear, leaving voters confused about where he stood.
那位政治人物關於稅改的演講不清楚，讓選民搞不清楚他的立場。
- clear
direct opposite; easy to understand
- straightforward
emphasises simplicity and lack of confusion
文法句型
unclear + noun
be/seem/remain + unclear
it is unclear whether/why/how/what + clause
用法筆記
Common in the pattern 'it is unclear + wh-clause' (whether, why, how, what, where) to express that facts or reasons are not known.
常見錯誤
3. not sure or confident about something — used when a person does not know what to
不確定的
對某事沒有把握的
not sure or confident about something — used when a person does not know what to think or do
Diya was unclear about the team's expectations for her new role at the company.
Diya 不清楚團隊對她在新職位上的期望是什麼。
unclear about + noun phrase
The committee remained unclear on whether to approve the funding for the research.
委員會仍不確定是否要批准那個研究計畫的經費。
After reading the email twice, Nora was still unclear about the meeting date.
即使把電子郵件讀了兩遍，Nora 仍然不確定會議的日期。
Emma was unclear how to fill in the visa form, so she asked the officer.
Emma 不清楚如何填寫簽證表格，於是請教承辦人員。
文法句型
be/seem/feel + unclear + about + noun/wh-clause
be/seem + unclear + on + noun
用法筆記
Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense describes a person who feels uncertain — not a thing that is hard to perceive. Subject is usually a person or group of people.