Definition

1. Verb:
   • To tell tales, to gossip indiscreetly: "bép xép" refers to the act of revealing secrets or talking about private matters that should be kept confidential, often in a careless or chatty manner.
   • To blab, to tattle: It implies speaking without discretion, potentially causing trouble by letting information slip.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó có tật hay bép xép. (He/She has the habit of telling tales.)
  • Đừng bép xép mà lộ bí mật. (Don't blab and let out the secret.)
  • Mấy đứa trẻ đang bép xép về chuyện của hàng xóm. (The children are gossiping about the neighbors' business.)

Advanced Usage

• "bép xép chuyện người khác": to gossip about other people's affairs.

  • Cô ấy không nên bép xép chuyện người khác. (She shouldn't gossip about other people's business.)

• Often used to describe a negative character trait of being unable to keep a secret.

Variants and Related Words

• Bép (verb): A shorter, more colloquial form with a similar meaning of blabbing or talking too much.
• Bép xép lép nhép (idiomatic phrase): Emphasizes constant, annoying, or trivial gossip.
• Mách lẻo (verb): To tattle, to tell on someone (often with a sense of reporting to an authority). While similar, "mách lẻo" often has a stronger connotation of snitching.

Synonyms

• Buôn chuyện: To gossip.
• Ngồi lê đôi mách: To engage in idle gossip (idiomatic).
• Làm lộ bí mật: To reveal a secret.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bép xé ra: To blab something out.
  • Nó bép xé hết chuyện ra ngoài. (He blabbed the whole story to outsiders.)

Related Idioms

• Miệng hay bép xép: A mouth that loves to tell tales.
  • Cậu bé ấy có cái miệng hay bép xép. (That boy has a mouth that loves to tell tales.)

verb

1. To tell tales
   • có tật hay bép xép
     to have the habit of telling tales
   • đừng bép xép mà lộ bí mật
     don't tell tales and let out secrets