Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Blunt, outspoken, tactless: Describes a manner of speaking that is excessively direct, lacking subtlety, consideration, or discretion, often revealing thoughts or information in a crude or unrefined way.
   • Unvarnished, plain-spoken to a fault: Refers to communication that is brutally honest and straightforward, without any attempt to soften the message, which can be perceived as rude or insensitive.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy có tính cách bộc tuệch bộc toạc, nói gì nghĩ đó mà không quan tâm đến cảm xúc người khác. (He has a blunt personality, saying whatever he thinks without caring about others' feelings.)
  • Lời phê bình bộc tuệch bộc toạc của cô ấy khiến nhiều người bị tổn thương. (Her tactless criticism hurt many people.)
  • Đừng có bộc tuệch bộc toạc như thế ở chỗ đông người. (Don't be so outspoken like that in public.)

Advanced Usage

• This is a reduplicative phrase (từ láy) where "bộc tuệch" is intensified by "bộc toạc," creating a stronger emphasis on the characteristic of being blunt and indiscreet. It almost always carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of social grace or emotional intelligence in communication.

Variants and Related Words

• Bộc tuệch (adj): The root form, meaning blunt or outspoken. "Bộc tuệch bộc toạc" is an extended, more emphatic version.
• Bộc trực (adj): Straightforward, frank. This is a more neutral or sometimes positive term for being direct and honest, unlike the negative "bộc tuệch bộc toạc."
• Thẳng thừng (adj): Forthright, point-blank. Similar in meaning to being direct but not necessarily with the same connotation of tactlessness.

Synonyms

• Thô lỗ (adj): Rude, coarse.
• Thiếu tế nhị (adj): Lacking tact, insensitive.
• Nói toạc móng heo (idiom): To speak bluntly, to lay all the cards on the table (literally: to speak so clearly it's like seeing a pig's hoof).

Antonyms

• Khéo léo (adj): Tactful, skillful (in communication).
• Tế nhị (adj): Subtle, discreet.
• Ý nhị (adj): Meaningful in a subtle, refined way.

Related Idioms

• Nói gì nói thẳng (idiom): To speak directly, to call a spade a spade. This can be neutral or positive, unlike "bộc tuệch bộc toạc."
• Ruột để ngoài da (idiom): To wear one's heart on one's sleeve; to be very open about one's feelings. This shares the idea of lack of concealment but focuses more on emotions than on blunt speech.

1. xem bộc tuệch (láy)