kháo
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To gossip (maliciously): To reveal someone's private or still-secret matters to others, often in a manner that spreads rumors or confidential information.
- To tattle: To tell tales or secrets about another person, typically with a negative connotation of betrayal of trust.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Cô ấy thích kháo chuyện của hàng xóm. (She likes to gossip about the neighbors' affairs.)
- Đừng kháo chuyện đó ra ngoài. (Don't tattle that story to outsiders.)
- Ăn cơm nhà nọ kháo cà nhà kia. (To eat one family's rice and tell another's private stories.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "kháo" inherently implies a breach of confidence. It is not neutral gossip but specifically involves spreading information that was meant to be kept private or secret.
- It often carries a strong moral judgment, criticizing the speaker for being untrustworthy and causing potential harm or discord.
Variants and Related Words
- Kháo chuyện (v): To gossip, to tell tales. This compound explicitly states the act of gossiping about stories or matters.
- Họ ngồi kháo chuyện cả buổi. (They sat gossiping all afternoon.)
Synonyms
- To gossip: To talk about other people's private lives.
- To tattle: To report someone's secrets or misdeeds.
- To divulge secrets: To make private information known.
Related Idioms
- Ăn cơm nhà nọ kháo cà nhà kia: (Proverb) Literally "To eat one family's rice and tell another's private stories." It describes the act of betraying the trust of those who have shown you hospitality or kindness. It condemns disloyalty and spreading secrets.
- Spill someome's private (still secret) stories
- ăn cơm nhà nọ kháo cà nhà kiaTo eat one family's rice and tell another private stories