Definition

1. Verb:
   • To listen attentively and eagerly for information; to keep one's ears open; to follow developments with anticipation: "nghe ngóng" describes the action of actively and intently listening to gather news, updates, or information about a situation, often with a sense of expectation or anxiety about the outcome.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn nghe ngóng tin tức từ quê nhà. (He always listens attentively for news from his hometown.)
  • Cả gia đình đang nghe ngóng kết quả cuộc phẫu thuật. (The whole family is eagerly awaiting/following the result of the surgery.)
  • Phóng viên phải luôn nghe ngóng tình hình thời sự. (Reporters must always keep their ears open to the current situation.)

Advanced Usage

• "nghe ngóng tình hình": to monitor/follow the situation closely.

  • Chúng tôi đang nghe ngóng tình hình thị trường chứng khoán. (We are closely monitoring the stock market situation.)

• "nghe ngóng tin đồn": to listen out for rumors.

  • Mọi người đều nghe ngóng tin đồn về việc sáp nhập công ty. (Everyone is listening out for rumors about the company merger.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngóng (verb): to look forward to, to wait anxiously. While "ngóng" often implies visual anticipation, in "nghe ngóng", it combines with "nghe" (to listen) to emphasize attentive auditory waiting.
• Theo dõi (verb): to follow, to monitor. This is a more general synonym that can be used in similar contexts but lacks the specific nuance of eager, auditory attention.

Synonyms

• Dò la: to spy out, to scout (implies more active investigation).
• Chăm chú lắng nghe: to listen attentively.
• Để ý theo dõi: to pay attention and follow.

Related Phrases

• "Nghe lén": to eavesdrop. This shares the aspect of secretive listening but carries a negative, intrusive connotation, unlike the more neutral or anxious "nghe ngóng".
• "Rình nghe": to lie in wait to hear. Similar to "nghe lén", implying stealth.

Related Idioms

• "Nghe ngóng hơi lạnh": Literally "to listen for the cold air", meaning to be overly sensitive to others' moods or opinions, often trying to guess their thoughts. This idiom extends the core meaning into the psychological realm.
  • Anh ta làm việc gì cũng nghe ngóng hơi lạnh của sếp. (In everything he does, he's overly sensitive to the boss's mood.)

1. Prick up one's ears, follow eagerly, follow expectantly
   • Nghe ngóng kết quả của một cuộc thi đấu bóng
     To follow expectantly the result of a football match