khéo miệng

khéo miệng

Cô bán hàng khéo miệng thuyết phục khách mua một chiếc váy.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Skillful in speaking; eloquent; having a way with words: Describes a person who speaks in a clever, tactful, or persuasive manner, often to achieve a desired effect, such as flattering, convincing, or avoiding offense.
    • Having a glib/smooth tongue: Implies the ability to talk one's way into or out of situations smoothly, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation of being manipulative.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • Anh ấy rất khéo miệng, luôn biết cách nói để mọi người vui vẻ. (He is very eloquent, always knowing how to speak to make everyone happy.)
    • Đừng nghe lời đường mật của hắn, hắn chỉ khéo miệng để lừa gạt người khác thôi. (Don't listen to his sweet talk; he's just glib-tongued to deceive others.)
    • Cô bán hàng khéo miệng quá, thuyết phục tôi mua thêm nhiều đồ. (The saleswoman is so persuasive; she convinced me to buy a lot more items.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Ăn nói khéo miệng": To speak skillfully and tactfully.

    • Trong công việc đàm phán, ăn nói khéo miệng là một lợi thế lớn. (In negotiation work, speaking tactfully is a great advantage.)

  • "Khéo miệng dẻo mồm": A common paired phrase emphasizing exceptional verbal skill, often with a nuance of being overly smooth or insincere.

    • Tên lừa đảo đó khéo miệng dẻo mồm lắm, cần phải cảnh giác. (That scammer is very glib and smooth-tongued; we must be cautious.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Khéo mồm (adj): A more colloquial variant with the same meaning as "khéo miệng."
  • Khéo léo (adj): Skillful, deft, clever (in a general sense, not limited to speech).
    • Cô ấy khéo léo trong việc giải quyết mâu thuẫn. (She is skillful in resolving conflicts.)
  • Mồm mép (n, often pejorative): Talk, lip service; referring to someone's (often empty or deceptive) way of speaking.
    • Đừng tin vào mồm mép của hắn. (Don't trust his smooth talk.)
Synonyms
  • Có tài ăn nói: To have a talent for speaking.
  • Ăn nói khéo léo: To speak skillfully and tactfully.
  • Mồm miệng đỡ chân tay (idiomatic): Literally "mouth and lips substitute for hands and feet," meaning one uses clever talk to avoid physical work.
Related Idioms

  • "Khéo mồm khéo miệng": A reinforced form of the adjective, emphasizing great verbal dexterity.

    • Cậu ta khéo mồm khéo miệng thật, toàn nói những lời có cánh. (He is incredibly silver-tongued, always saying flattering things.)

  • "Mật ngọt chết ruồi" (Proverb: "Sweet honey kills flies"): This proverb relates to the concept of "khéo miệng" by warning that sweet, clever words can be deceptive and dangerous.

    • Cẩn thận với những lời khen ngợi đó, mật ngọt chết ruồi đấy. (Be careful with those compliments; flattering words can be deceptive.)