nói gở
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To speak inauspiciously / to say something ominous: To utter words that superstitious people believe may foretell or bring about bad luck or misfortune.
- To jinx by speaking: To mention an undesirable hypothetical outcome, which is considered to tempt fate and potentially cause that outcome to happen.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Đừng có nói gở về chuyến bay của họ. (Don't say anything ominous about their flight.)
- Anh ta vô tình nói gở về khả năng thua cuộc. (He inadvertently jinxed it by speaking about the possibility of losing.)
- Bà tôi rất sợ khi ai đó nói gở vào ngày đầu năm. (My grandmother is very afraid when someone speaks inauspiciously on New Year's Day.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase carries a strong cultural and superstitious connotation. It is not merely predicting a bad event, but is seen as an act that could actively influence the outcome for the worse.
- Often used in contexts where people are cautious about tempting fate, such as before important events, trips, or during holidays.
Variants and Related Words
- Nói xui (verb phrase): A more colloquial synonym meaning to say something that brings bad luck.
- Thôi, đừng nói xui! (Stop, don't jinx it!)
Synonyms
- To jinx: To bring bad luck by speaking.
- To be a prophet of doom: To predict misfortune.
- To speak ill-omened words: To say things considered a bad sign.
Related Idioms
- Nói trúng (literally: to speak and hit the target): While not superstitious, this contrasts with "nói gở." It means to make a correct prediction, often accidentally.
- Anh ấy nói gở mà lại thành nói trúng. (He spoke ominously and it turned out to be correct.)
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Speak ominously
