confusing question

[/kənˈfjuːzɪŋ ˈkwɛstʃən/]
noun phrasepl: confusing questions
pergunta confusa
1. a question that is unclear, ambiguous, or difficult to understand, making it hard for the listener to provide an accurate answer
The interviewer asked such a confusing question that none of the candidates understood what was being asked.
O entrevistador fez uma pergunta tão confusa que nenhum dos candidatos entendeu o que estava sendo perguntado.
2. a question that contains contradictory or misleading information that makes it difficult to answer truthfully
That's a confusing question because it assumes two things that might not be true.
Essa é uma pergunta confusa porque pressupõe duas coisas que podem não ser verdadeiras.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, confusing questions are often used in educational settings to test critical thinking, though in legal and political contexts they may be seen as evasive tactics. In Brazil, direct communication is sometimes preferred, so a confusing question might be criticized as 'falta de clareza' (lack of clarity). In the USA, particularly in legal depositions or political debates, confusing questions can be objected to as 'ambiguous' or 'compound questions.'
NYC Slang
a question that's all twisted up or leaves you hanging
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unclear questionambiguous questionmisleading questiontrick questionbewildering questionperplexing question
Antonyms / Antônimos
clear questionstraightforward questionsimple questiondirect questionunambiguous question

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
pergunta confusa
Standard translation used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
pergunta confusa/pergunta meio estranha
Colloquial speakers may say 'pergunta meio estranha' for a confusing or odd question
São Paulo
pergunta confusa
Standard usage in business and formal contexts
Portugal
pergunta confusa/pergunta complicada
Portuguese speakers may also use 'pergunta complicada' for a complex confusing question

Related Words

ambiguityclarificationmisunderstandingconfusionloaded questionrhetorical question

Related Idioms & Phrases

ask a loaded question
muddy the waters
throw someone a curveball
speak in riddles
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