Definition

1. Noun:

   • Speech / Words: The vocal sounds or written symbols used by humans to communicate thoughts, ideas, or feelings; spoken or uttered language.
   • Utterance: A particular word, phrase, or statement that someone says.
   • Talk: The act of speaking or the content of what is spoken.

2. Noun (extended usage):

   • Promise: A verbal commitment or assurance.
   • Expression: A manner or style of verbal communication.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Lời nói của cô ấy rất dịu dàng. (Her speech is very gentle.)
  • Anh ấy không giữ lời nói của mình. (He did not keep his word.)
  • Đừng tin vào những lời nói ngọt ngào đó. (Do not believe those sweet words.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lời nói gió bay": Literally "words are like flying wind"; meaning words are easily forgotten or promises are easily broken.

  • Hứa suông thôi, lời nói gió bay đấy. (They're just empty promises; words are easily forgotten.)

• "Lời nói đọi máu": Literally "words that bowl blood"; meaning extremely hurtful or cutting words.

  • Những lời nói đọi máu đó làm cô ấy khóc. (Those cutting words made her cry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nói (v): to speak, to say.

  • Cậu bé đang học nói. (The boy is learning to speak.)

• Câu nói (n): a saying, a statement.

  • Câu nói đó rất ý nghĩa. (That saying is very meaningful.)

• Ngôn từ (n): diction, wording (often more formal or literary than "lời nói").

  • Ngôn từ trong bài diễn văn rất trang trọng. (The diction in the speech is very formal.)

Synonyms

• Words: The basic units of speech or writing.
• Speech: The expression of thoughts in spoken words.
• Utterance: Something spoken.

Related Idioms

• Lời nói như đinh đóng cột: Literally "words like a nailed pillar"; meaning a firm, reliable promise.

  • Anh ấy hứa là sẽ làm, lời nói như đinh đóng cột. (He promised he would do it; his word is his bond.)

• Lời nói không mất tiền mua, lựa lời mà nói cho vừa lòng nhau: Literally "words don't cost money to buy, so choose your words to please each other"; a proverb advising one to speak kindly.

  • Nhớ câu "lời nói không mất tiền mua" mà nói nhẹ nhàng với con. (Remember the proverb "words are free" and speak gently to your child.)