Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having the gift of the gab; being voluble: Describes a person who is very talkative, quick-witted, and eloquent in speech, often in a clever or sharp-tongued way.
   • Glib; sharp-tongued: Can imply a person is clever with words, sometimes to the point of being slick or sarcastic.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy rất hoạt khẩu, lúc nào cũng có thể nói chuyện một cách hài hước và thú vị. (He is very voluble, always able to talk in a humorous and interesting way.)
  • Cô phóng viên đó nổi tiếng hoạt khẩu và phản ứng nhanh trong các buổi phỏng vấn. (That reporter is famous for being quick-witted and reacting swiftly in interviews.)
  • Đừng có hoạt khẩu với tôi! (Don't be glib with me!)

Advanced Usage

• This word is considered literary or somewhat formal and is not commonly used in everyday modern spoken Vietnamese. It is more likely to be encountered in writing, literature, or formal descriptions.
• The nuance can be positive (eloquent, witty) or slightly negative (overly slick, insincerely talkative), depending on the context.

Variants and Related Words

• Lém lỉnh (adj): This is a more common and colloquial synonym. It means "cheeky," "sassy," or "sharp-tongued" in a clever, often endearing way, typically used for younger people or children.
  • Đứa bé đó lém lỉnh lắm. (That child is very cheeky/sassy.)
• Nhanh trí (adj): Quick-witted, sharp-minded (focuses more on mental quickness than just speech).
• Khéo ăn khéo nói (idiom): Skilled in eating and speaking; describes someone who is tactful and eloquent in speech.

Synonyms

• Ăn nói lưu loát / trôi chảy: To speak fluently and eloquently.
• Mồm miệng đỡ chân tay (idiom, often humorous): Literally "mouth and lips substitute for hands and feet"; describes someone who talks their way out of work or uses talk instead of action.

Related Idioms

• Khẩu xà tâm phật: Literally "mouth like a snake, heart like a Buddha"; means someone whose words are sharp or harsh but whose heart/intentions are kind. This relates to the potential sharp-tongued aspect of hoạt khẩu.
• Miệng lưỡi nhanh nhẹn: Nimble/quick mouth and tongue; describes someone who is a fast and clever talker.

1. (ít dùng) Have the gift of the gab, be voluble