Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To raise one's voice / to speak in a higher tone: To increase the volume or pitch of one's voice, often to be heard, to express strong emotion, or to command attention.
   • To adopt a superior or lecturing tone: To speak in a manner that is condescending, arrogant, or intended to assert authority over others, often implying a "holier-than-thou" attitude.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy tức giận và bắt đầu lên giọng. (He got angry and began to raise his voice.)
  • Đừng lên giọng với tôi. (Don't use that tone with me. / Don't talk down to me.)
  • Cô ấy lên giọng dạy đời mọi người. (She adopted a lecturing tone to preach to everyone.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a negative connotation, criticizing someone for being unnecessarily authoritative, pompous, or scolding.
• It can describe a sudden change in tone during a conversation, signaling a shift to anger, impatience, or a desire to dominate the discussion.

Variants and Related Words

• Lên giọng kẻ cả: To speak in a patronizing or "holier-than-thou" manner.
  • Anh ta thích lên giọng kẻ cả với đồng nghiệp mới. (He likes to talk down to new colleagues.)

Synonyms

• To talk down to someone: To speak condescendingly.
• To become haughty: To act in an arrogantly superior way.
• To raise one's voice: To speak louder.

Related Idioms

• Lên giọng dạy đời: To pontificate; to preach or lecture others in a self-righteous way.
  • Ông ấy không có kinh nghiệm thực tế nhưng rất hay lên giọng dạy đời. (He has no practical experience but is very fond of pontificating.)