Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Difficult to say/express; inexpressible; unspeakable: Describes a feeling, thought, or situation that is hard to put into words, either due to its complexity, intensity, or sensitivity.
   • Difficult to speak about; awkward to mention; a delicate/touchy subject: Refers to a topic that is uncomfortable, embarrassing, or socially sensitive to discuss.
   • (Less common, from reference) Headstrong; stubborn; difficult to teach/advise: Describes a person who is obstinate and does not listen to reason or instruction.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cảm xúc lúc đó thật khó nói. (The emotion at that moment was truly inexpressible.)
  • Đó là một chuyện khó nói. (That is a delicate matter / a difficult thing to talk about.)
  • Tôi cảm thấy khó nói với anh ấy về vấn đề tiền bạc. (I find it awkward to talk to him about money issues.)
  • Đứa trẻ đó hơi khó nói. (That child is a bit headstrong / difficult to advise.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khó nói quá": "It's so hard to say/explain" or "It's too awkward to mention." This phrase emphasizes the difficulty.
  • Tại sao tôi thích cô ấy? Khó nói quá. (Why do I like her? It's so hard to explain.)
• "Thật khó nói thành lời": "It's truly difficult to put into words." Used for profound emotions or experiences.
  • Nỗi đau ấy thật khó nói thành lời. (That pain is truly impossible to articulate.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khó (adj): Difficult, hard.
• Nói (v): To say, to speak, to talk.
• Khó diễn tả (adj): Difficult to describe/express. (Close synonym for the first meaning).
• Khó xử (adj): Awkward, embarrassing (in a situation). (Close synonym for the second meaning).
• Bướng bỉnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate. (Close synonym for the third meaning).

Synonyms

• Khó diễn đạt: Hard to formulate/express.
• Tế nhị: Delicate, sensitive (for topics).
• Ngại ngùng: Hesitant, embarrassed (to speak).
• Cứng đầu: Hard-headed, stubborn.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Nghẹn lời: To be choked up, speechless (due to emotion). While not the same, it can describe a state where one finds it khó nói.
  • Nghe tin đó, cô ấy nghẹn lời không nói được gì. (Upon hearing that news, she was choked up and couldn't say anything.)
• Đành phải nói thẳng: To have no choice but to speak bluntly. This phrase might be used after finding a topic khó nói.
  • Vì khó nói quá nên tôi đành phải nói thẳng. (Because it was too awkward to approach indirectly, I had to speak bluntly.)

1. Not to known what to say
2. Self-illed, headstrong