nghe lõm

Cậu bé nghe lõm cuộc trò chuyện từ phòng bên cạnh.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To overhear: To accidentally hear a conversation or information not intended for one's ears.
   • To eavesdrop: To secretly and deliberately listen to a private conversation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi vô tình nghe lõm được kế hoạch của họ. (I accidentally overheard their plan.)
  • Đứa trẻ nghe lõm cuộc nói chuyện của người lớn. (The child eavesdropped on the adults' conversation.)
  • Anh ta đứng ngoài cửa để nghe lõm. (He stood outside the door to eavesdrop.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies the information was gained surreptitiously or by chance, without the speakers' knowledge or consent. It can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on intent.

Variants and Related Words

• Nghe trộm (v): To listen secretly, to bug. This emphasizes a more deliberate and covert act of listening.
  • Cô ấy bị bắt quả tang nghe trộm điện thoại. (She was caught red-handed bugging the phone.)

Synonyms

• Overhear: To hear something without the speaker's intention.
• Eavesdrop: To listen secretly to a private conversation.

Related Idioms

• Tai vách mạch rừng: Literally "walls have ears, the forest has veins." An idiom warning that secret conversations can be overheard.
  • Cẩn thận, tai vách mạch rừng đấy. (Be careful, walls have ears.)