làm thinh
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To remain silent / to say nothing: To deliberately choose not to speak or respond, often as a reaction to a situation, question, or accusation. It implies a conscious decision to withhold speech.
- To pretend not to hear/notice: To act as if one did not hear or is unaware of something, typically to avoid a responsibility, confrontation, or engagement.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Khi bị hỏi, anh ấy chỉ làm thinh. (When asked, he just remained silent.)
- Tôi gọi nhiều lần nhưng nó cứ làm thinh. (I called many times, but he kept pretending not to hear.)
- Trước lời buộc tội, cô ấy đã làm thinh. (Faced with the accusation, she said nothing.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a nuance of passive resistance, indifference, or intentional avoidance. It is not merely the absence of speech but a strategic or emotional choice not to communicate.
Variants and Related Words
- Im lặng (v): to be silent, to be quiet. (This is more neutral, while often implies a deliberate act in a specific context.)
- Câm như hến (idiom): to be as silent as a clam; to refuse to say a word.
Synonyms
- To keep quiet: To refrain from speaking.
- To stay silent: To not utter any words.
- To give the silent treatment: To deliberately ignore someone by not speaking to them.
Related Idioms
- Làm thinh hưởng lợi: To remain silent to reap benefits; to stay quiet for personal gain.
- Anh ta biết sự thật nhưng làm thinh hưởng lợi. (He knew the truth but remained silent to benefit from it.)