Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To speak out, to express: To verbally communicate one's feelings, thoughts, or intentions to someone else.
   • To make a proposal, to broach a subject (often regarding relationships): To initiate a conversation about a sensitive or important matter, traditionally used in the context of expressing romantic interest or making a marriage proposal.

Usage Examples

• To express feelings/thoughts:

  • Anh ấy đã ngỏ lời xin lỗi chân thành. (He sincerely expressed his apology.)
  • Cô ấy ngỏ lời cảm tạ sự giúp đỡ của mọi người. (She expressed her thanks for everyone's help.)

• To make a proposal/broach a subject:

  • Chàng trai ấy đã dũng cảm ngỏ lời với cô gái anh ta thích. (That young man bravely expressed his feelings to the girl he likes.)
  • Họ ngỏ lời muốn hợp tác kinh doanh với công ty chúng tôi. (They proposed wanting to do business with our company.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ngỏ lời cầu hôn": To propose marriage.

  • Sau ba năm yêu nhau, anh ấy quyết định ngỏ lời cầu hôn. (After three years of dating, he decided to propose.)

• "Ngỏ lời tâm sự": To confide, to share one's innermost thoughts.

  • Cô ấy không có ai để ngỏ lời tâm sự về nỗi buồn của mình. (She has no one to confide in about her sorrow.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thổ lộ (verb): To confess, to reveal (feelings, secrets). Often used interchangeably with "ngỏ lời" in emotional contexts.

  • Anh ấy thổ lộ tình cảm với cô ấy. (He confessed his feelings to her.)

• Bày tỏ (verb): To express, to show (feelings, opinions). A more general term for expression.

  • Tôi muốn bày tỏ quan điểm của mình. (I want to express my point of view.)

Synonyms

• Nói ra: To say it out loud.
• Bộc bạch: To unbosom, to reveal one's mind (literary).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ngỏ ý: To hint at, to suggest an intention (less direct than "ngỏ lời").
  • Anh ấy đã ngỏ ý muốn rời công ty. (He hinted at wanting to leave the company.)

Related Idioms

• "Ngỏ lời năn nỉ": To plead, to beseech.

  • Đứa trẻ ngỏ lời năn nỉ mẹ cho đi chơi. (The child pleaded with his mother to let him go out.)

• "Ngỏ lời chào hàng": To make a sales pitch, to propose a business deal.

  • Nhân viên ngỏ lời chào hàng sản phẩm mới cho khách. (The employee made a pitch for the new product to the customer.)

1. Speak out, express
   • Ngỏ lời cảm tạ
     To express one's thanks (to someone)