Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To make known one's intention: To communicate a personal wish, plan, or desire to another person, often in a preliminary or indirect manner.
   • To express one's intention: To state or reveal what one intends to do or what one wants.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy ngỏ ý muốn hợp tác với công ty chúng tôi. (He expressed his intention to cooperate with our company.)
  • Cô ấy ngỏ ý là sẽ từ chức vào cuối năm. (She made known her intention to resign at the end of the year.)
  • Tôi đã ngỏ ý cần sự giúp đỡ. (I expressed my need for help.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a degree of tact, subtlety, or formality when broaching a subject. It is commonly used in contexts involving proposals, requests, or personal feelings.
• "ngỏ ý tán thành": to express one's approval or agreement.
  • Chủ tịch đã ngỏ ý tán thành với phương án mới. (The chairman expressed his agreement with the new plan.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bày tỏ (v): to express, to reveal (feelings, opinions). This is a more general synonym.

  • Anh ấy bày tỏ tình cảm của mình. (He expressed his feelings.)

• Thổ lộ (v): to confide, to reveal (often for personal, heartfelt matters).

  • Cô ấy thổ lộ mong muốn được đi du học. (She confided her desire to study abroad.)

Synonyms

• To express one's intention
• To make one's wishes known
• To indicate
• To broach a subject (when introducing an idea)

Related Idioms

• Ngỏ lời: to speak up, to utter words (often used for proposing marriage or making a direct request).

  • Anh ta đã ngỏ lời cầu hôn. (He proposed [marriage].)

• Đánh tiếng: to drop a hint, to give a signal. This is less direct than "ngỏ ý".

  • Họ đánh tiếng muốn mua lại căn nhà. (They hinted at wanting to buy the house.)

1. Make known one's intention, express one's intention