Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hum and haw: To speak hesitantly, with frequent pauses, repetitions, or unclear sounds, typically due to uncertainty, nervousness, or an inability to express oneself clearly or remember something.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Khi bị hỏi, cậu bé chỉ ấm ứ. (When asked, the boy just hummed and hawed.)
  • Anh ấy ấm ứ không trả lời. (He hummed and hawed and gave no answer.)
  • Học sinh ấm ứ mãi vì không thuộc bài. (The student kept humming and hawing because they didn't know their lesson.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often describes a specific vocal hesitation, filled with sounds like "uh," "um," or fragmented words, rather than just silent pausing. It strongly implies a struggle to produce the correct or desired words.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngập ngừng (v): To hesitate, to falter (can refer to speech or action).

  • Cô ấy ngập ngừng trước cửa. (She hesitated at the door.)

• Lắp bắp (v): To stammer, to stutter (often due to fear or surprise).

  • Cậu bé lắp bắp vì sợ hãi. (The boy stammered in fear.)

Synonyms

• To stammer: To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and repetitions.
• To falter: To speak in a hesitant or unsteady voice.
• To hesitate: To pause before saying or doing something.

Related Idioms

• Ấm a ấm ứ: An extended, reduplicative form emphasizing prolonged and awkward hesitation in speech.
  • Suốt buổi phỏng vấn, anh ta cứ ấm a ấm ứ. (Throughout the interview, he kept humming and hawing.)

verb

1. to hum and haw
   • ấm ứ không trả lời
     to hum and haw and give no answer
   • không thuộc bài, ấm ứ mãi
     to keep humming and hawing, for not knowing one's lesson