kín tiếng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Discreet / Tight-lipped: The primary meaning describes a person or group who is very careful not to reveal information, especially about their whereabouts, activities, or private matters. It implies a deliberate choice to remain silent or secretive.
- Secretive / Quiet: It can also describe an action or manner that is done without drawing attention or publicity.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ấy là người rất kín tiếng về đời tư. (He is a person very discreet about his private life.)
- Công ty giữ kín tiếng về địa điểm họp mới. (The company kept mum about the new meeting location.)
- Họ chuyển nhà một cách kín tiếng. (They moved house in a secretive manner.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe a state or quality of an action or person.
- Một cuộc gặp kín tiếng: a discreet / quiet meeting.
- Sống kín tiếng: to live a low-profile / quiet life.
Variants and Related Words
- Giữ kín (v): to keep secret, to keep quiet about.
- Cô ấy giữ kín tin này. (She kept this news secret.)
- Bí mật (adj): secret, confidential. (While similar, often describes the information itself, whereas describes the behavior of not revealing it.)
Synonyms
- Discreet: Careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions.
- Tight-lipped: Unwilling to divulge information.
- Secretive: Inclined to conceal feelings, intentions, or activities.
Related Idioms
- Kín như bưng: (lit. sealed like a covered basket) means extremely secretive or airtight, with no information leaking out.
- Vụ án được giữ kín như bưng. (The case was kept completely under wraps.)
-
Keep mum about where one is