gá lời
Definition
- Verb (rare, literary):
- To give one's word / to pledge: To formally or solemnly promise something, often in a binding or serious context.
- To interject / to join a conversation (archaic): To add one's voice or words into a discussion or dialogue. This meaning is now largely obsolete.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Ông ấy đã gá lời sẽ bảo vệ ngôi làng. (He gave his word that he would protect the village.)
- Trong các cuộc họp quan trọng, ông thường gá lời với những ý kiến sắc sảo. (In important meetings, he would often interject with sharp opinions.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is considered rare and is primarily found in classical or formal literary texts. Its usage in modern spoken Vietnamese is very uncommon.
Variants and Related Words
Hứa (v): to promise. This is the common, modern equivalent for "to give one's word."
- Cô ấy hứa sẽ đến đúng giờ. (She promised to arrive on time.)
Hứa hẹn (v): to pledge, to make a commitment.
- Hai bên đã hứa hẹn hợp tác lâu dài. (The two sides pledged long-term cooperation.)
Synonyms
- Pledge: To commit solemnly.
- Promise: To assure someone that one will do something.
- Vow: To make a serious promise.
Related Idioms
- Gá lời thề ước: To pledge a vow (a poetic, reinforced form).
- Họ gá lời thề ước dưới ánh trăng. (They pledged a vow under the moonlight.)