Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To speak indirectly / to hint: To communicate something by implying it rather than stating it directly, often using figurative or roundabout language.
   • To speak in a veiled manner: To make a point by referring to something else, allowing the listener to infer the intended meaning.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy không chỉ trích thẳng, mà chỉ nói xa nói gần. (He didn't criticize directly, but only spoke in hints and allusions.)
  • Đừng nói xa nữa, hãy đi thẳng vào vấn đề. (Stop speaking indirectly and get straight to the point.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is often used in the reduplicated form "nói xa nói gần", which emphasizes the act of making indirect remarks or circling around a topic.
  • Cô ấy cứ nói xa nói gần về chuyện cưới xin. (She kept making indirect remarks about marriage.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nói bóng (v): to speak figuratively; to hint.
  • Anh ấy thích nói bóng hơn là nói thẳng. (He prefers to speak figuratively rather than directly.)
• Nói mát (v): to make a sarcastic or biting indirect remark.
  • Lời nói mát của anh ta khiến cô ấy khó chịu. (His sarcastic remark made her uncomfortable.)

Synonyms

• To hint: To suggest something indirectly.
• To imply: To indicate something without expressly stating it.
• To allude: To refer to something indirectly or covertly.

Related Idioms

• Nói xa nói gần: To speak in a roundabout way; to beat around the bush. This is the most common idiomatic usage.
  • Suốt buổi họp, ông ấy chỉ nói xa nói gần về sai sót của dự án. (Throughout the meeting, he only beat around the bush about the project's shortcomings.)