Ambiguity in Japan

曖昧 (Aimai)

Ambiguity

More than one intended meaning

Japanese word: Aimai （あいまい）

Reasons for Being Ambiguous

To Promote Harmony To Be Polite To Be Humble To Be Indirect

To Promote Harmony

Geographical Influence Desire to PreservePositive Reputations

To Be Polite

(i.e.) Declining Offers

Chotto （ちょっと…） = Well…

Demo ( でも…） = But…

Kangaete-Okimasu ( 考えておきます） 　　　　　　　　　　　 =I will think about

it

To Be Humble

(i.e.) How did you do on your exam?

ma-ma （まあまあ） = Not so bad

To Be Indirect

“Are you going home for holiday?”“Have you completed your graduation thesis?”

Ichio （いちおう） = For the time being

Indirect way of expressing “Yes”

Ambiguous v.s. Assertive

Ambiguous Assertive

Socially Positive Socially Negative

Expressing Genuine (?) Interest

So desu ka…(Is that so…?)

So desu ne…(I agree..)

Expressing Disagreement

Eeeh? mmmh?

Disagreement= Rejecting the Person

Ambiguous v.s. Assertive

Being Assertive in Japan Means:

Rude Show Off Socially Negative Direct Childish

Impacts on Cross-Cultural Communication

Ambiguity creates a false image about Japanese as shy

Confusion due to ambiguous way to disagree

Misunderstandings due to Japanese inability to say ‘No’