ngọt lự
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: * Deceptively sweet, cloyingly sweet, sickly sweet: Describes a type of sweetness that is excessive, artificial, or insincere, often used metaphorically to describe speech or behavior that is overly flattering and deceptive.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Giọng nói của người bán hàng đó nghe thật ngọt lự. (That salesperson's voice sounds deceptively sweet.)
- Cô ấy dùng những lời ngọt lự để lấy lòng sếp. (She used cloyingly sweet words to curry favor with the boss.)
- Vị của chiếc bánh này ngọt lự quá, tôi không thích. (The taste of this cake is sickly sweet; I don't like it.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "ngọt lự" is almost always used with a negative connotation, implying that the sweetness is not genuine and is intended to deceive, manipulate, or is simply unpleasant due to excess.
- It is commonly used to critique language, tone of voice, or behavior that is perceived as excessively ingratiating or flattering.
Variants and Related Words
- Ngọt lừ (adj): This is a direct variant with identical meaning and usage to "ngọt lự". The two forms are interchangeable.
- Anh ta có nụ cười ngọt lừ đáng ngờ. (He has a deceptively sweet smile that is suspicious.)
- Ngọt ngào (adj): Genuinely sweet, lovely (can describe taste, sound, or feelings). This is the positive counterpart.
- Lời chúc ngọt ngào. (A sweet wish.)
- Ngọt xớt (adj): Another synonym for "ngọt lự", emphasizing an even more excessive and nauseating level of artificial sweetness.
Synonyms
- Giả tạo (adj): Artificial, fake.
- Nịnh hót (v/n): To flatter, flattery.
- Sến (adj, informal): Corny, overly sentimental (can overlap in context).
Related Idioms
- Đường mật ngọt ngào: Literally "sweet honeyed words", meaning flattering or seductive speech. This idiom shares the concept of deceptive sweetness with "ngọt lự".
- Đừng tin vào những lời đường mật ngọt ngào. (Don't believe those honeyed words.)
- như ngọt lừ