approximate language
[/əˈprɒksɪmət ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/]
noun phrasepl: approximate languages
linguagem aproximada
1. Communication that conveys the general idea or essence of something without precise accuracy or exact details
The witness gave approximate language when describing the suspect, mentioning 'tall and dark-haired' rather than specific measurements.
A testemunha usou linguagem aproximada ao descrever o suspeito, mencionando 'alto e cabelo escuro' em vez de medidas específicas.
2. Speech or writing that uses vague, general, or imprecise terms rather than technical or exact terminology
In casual conversation, people often use approximate language like 'around 10 o'clock' instead of exact times.
Em conversas casuais, as pessoas frequentemente usam linguagem aproximada como 'por volta das 10 horas' em vez de horários exatos.
3. Language that aims to be close enough for practical purposes while accepting some margin of error
The doctor used approximate language to explain the procedure, avoiding overly technical medical terms.
O médico usou linguagem aproximada para explicar o procedimento, evitando termos médicos muito técnicos.
Approximate language is commonly used in both Brazilian and American English casual communication. In Brazil, there's a cultural tendency toward more flexible and conversational speech patterns, making approximate language socially acceptable in many contexts. In the US, approximate language is often used to sound less formal or to avoid seeming overly pedantic in social situations. In professional or technical contexts (medicine, law, engineering), both cultures emphasize moving away from approximate language toward precision.
NYC Slang
ballpark language / rough talk (informal equivalent)
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →