Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pleasant to the ears; sweet; melodious: Describes a sound, voice, or piece of music that is soft, gentle, and pleasing to listen to.
   • Soothing; agreeable (to hear): Often used to describe words or speech that are flattering, comforting, or easy to accept.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Giọng hát của cô ấy thật êm tai. (Her singing voice is very sweet/melodious.)
  • Những lời nịnh nọt nghe rất êm tai. (Flattering words sound very agreeable/soothing.)
  • Âm nhạc êm tai giúp tôi thư giãn. (Soothing music helps me relax.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm êm tai": to soothe someone's ears; to say something pleasing.
  • Anh ấy chỉ nói những điều làm êm tai sếp. (He only says things to please the boss.)
• "Nghe êm tai": to sound pleasant/agreeable (often with an implication of being superficially pleasing).
  • Lời hứa đó nghe êm tai nhưng khó thực hiện. (That promise sounds agreeable but is hard to fulfill.)

Variants and Related Words

• Êm ái (adj): gentle, soft, smooth (can describe touch, sound, or feeling).
  • Âm thanh êm ái (a gentle sound).
• Du dương (adj): melodious, tuneful (specifically for music or singing).
  • Giai điệu du dương (a melodious tune).
• Dịu dàng (adj): gentle, tender (often describing voice or manner).
  • Giọng nói dịu dàng (a gentle voice).

Synonyms

• Ngọt ngào: sweet (can describe sound or words).
• Dễ nghe: easy to listen to.
• Hòa âm: harmonious.

Antonyms

• Chói tai: harsh to the ears; grating.
• Khó nghe: unpleasant to hear; hard to listen to.
• Lộn xộn: discordant.

Related Idioms

• Đường mật chết ruồi (lit.: "The honeyed path kills flies"): Similar to "Flattery will get you nowhere." This idiom contrasts with superficially "êm tai" words, warning that sweet talk can be deceptive.
  • Đừng nghe những lời êm tai, "đường mật chết ruồi" đấy. (Don't listen to those soothing words, remember "flattery is dangerous".)

1. pleasant to the ears; sweet; melodious
   • bài hát êm tai
     a sweet song