lài nhài
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- To speak at length in a rambling, repetitive, or tedious manner: Describes the action of talking for a long time in a way that is boring, repetitive, or lacks focus, often causing annoyance to the listener.
- To mumble or mutter incessantly: Can also describe speaking in a low, unclear voice that continues without stopping.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Ông ấy cứ lài nhài kể lể về chuyện cũ. (He kept droning on and on about old stories.)
- Đừng có lài nhài nữa, tôi chẳng hiểu gì cả. (Stop mumbling incessantly, I don't understand anything.)
- Cô giáo phải nhắc học sinh đừng nói lài nhài khi thuyết trình. (The teacher had to remind the student not to speak in a rambling, tedious way during the presentation.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to criticize speech: Often carries a negative connotation, criticizing someone for being long-winded, boring, or unclear in their speech.
- Bài phát biểu của anh ta nghe thật lài nhài và thiếu trọng tâm. (His speech sounded very rambling and lacked focus.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lai rai (verb/adverb): To sip alcohol slowly or to do something slowly and intermittently. (Note: While sometimes confused due to similar sound, "lai rai" and "lài nhài" have distinct meanings.)
- Lải nhải (adverb): A close synonym, also meaning to talk in a nagging, repetitive, or tedious manner.
- Bà ấy lải nhải mãi về cùng một vấn đề. (She kept nagging on and on about the same issue.)
Synonyms
- Lải nhải: to nag, to harp on.
- Càu nhàu: to grumble, to mutter in complaint.
- Nói dai, nói dài: to talk persistently or at great length.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Nói lài nhài như tụng kinh: To drone on like chanting a prayer (emphasizing the monotonous and repetitive nature).
- Ông giám đốc nói lài nhài như tụng kinh khiến ai cũng buồn ngủ. (The director droned on like chanting a prayer, putting everyone to sleep.)
- như lai nhai