Definitions

1. Verb phrase:
   • To stop speaking, to cease talking: Refers to the act of ending one's speech or becoming silent, often after speaking continuously or at length. This is the literal meaning.
   • To relent in speaking, to let up (in conversation): Implies a decrease in the intensity, frequency, or volume of speech.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy nói liên tục cả tiếng đồng hồ rồi mới ngớt lời. (He talked continuously for an hour before he finally stopped speaking.)
  • Cô giáo phải yêu cầu cả lớp im lặng, bọn trẻ mới ngớt lời. (The teacher had to ask the class to be quiet before the children stopped talking.)
  • Cơn mưa rào đã ngớt. (The rain shower has let up.) Note: This example uses the core verb 'ngớt' to show its meaning of 'abating', which is extended to speech in 'ngớt lời'.

Advanced Usage Notes

• "Không ngớt lời": This is a very common fixed phrase meaning "incessantly," "without ceasing," or "profusely." It is used to emphasize continuous action, often praise or criticism.
  • Mọi người không ngớt lời khen ngợi thành tích của cô ấy. (People praised her achievement profusely / without ceasing.)
  • Báo chí không ngớt lời chỉ trích chính sách mới. (The press incessantly criticized the new policy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngớt (verb): To abate, to subside, to lessen in intensity. This is the core verb. It is commonly used with natural phenomena.
  • Gió đã ngớt. (The wind has died down.)
  • Cơn đau đã ngớt. (The pain has subsided.)
• Lời (noun): Word, speech, utterance.

Synonyms

• Ngừng nói / Thôi nói: To stop talking. (More direct and common for the literal meaning.)
• Im lặng: To be/become silent. (Emphasizes the state of silence.)
• Dứt lời: To finish speaking (often used in formal or narrative contexts). (Implies concluding one's speech.)

Related Phrases

• Nói không ngớt lời: To talk non-stop.
  • Bà ấy kể về chuyến đi của mình nói không ngớt lời. (She talked non-stop about her trip.)

Related Idioms

• "Không ngớt lời khen / chê": A set idiom meaning "to praise/criticize profusely."
  • Giám khảo không ngớt lời khen phần trình diễn của thí sinh. (The judges praised the contestant's performance profusely.)