mớm lời
Definition
- Verb:
- To prompt / to feed lines: The primary meaning of "mớm lời" is to subtly suggest or supply words to another person, encouraging them to say something specific that the prompter wants to be expressed. It implies guiding someone's speech.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đạo diễn phải mớm lời cho diễn viên nhí. (The director had to feed lines to the child actor.)
- Bố mẹ không nên mớm lời khi con trả lời phỏng vấn. (Parents should not prompt their child during an interview.)
- Cô ấy bị nghi ngờ mớm lời cho nhân chứng. (She is suspected of prompting the witness.)
Advanced Usage
- The action often carries a slightly negative or manipulative connotation, suggesting the speaker is not using their own genuine words but is being coached.
- It is commonly used in contexts like teaching, legal testimony, acting, or situations where someone is being guided to give a specific answer.
Variants and Related Words
- Gợi ý (v): to suggest, to hint. This is more neutral and general than "mớm lời."
- Nhắc bài (v): to prompt (specifically in an academic or test-setting).
- Xúi giục (v): to incite, to instigate. This is stronger and implies provoking someone to take action, not just speak.
Synonyms
- Prompt: to assist by suggesting or saying the next words.
- Cue: to give a signal or hint to begin speaking.
- Feed lines: to supply words to a speaker, especially in a performance.
Related Idioms
- Mớm cung: This is a specific legal/judicial term meaning to lead a witness or to feed a suspect a confession during interrogation.
- Luật sư cáo buộc cảnh sát mớm cung cho bị can. (The lawyer accused the police of leading the suspect's confession.)