Definition

1. Adjective (informal, colloquial):
   • Feeling a strong urge to speak, especially when it's unnecessary or inappropriate; unable to resist the impulse to say something. This term describes the physical sensation of "itchiness" in the mouth, metaphorically representing an uncontrollable desire to talk, often impulsively or out of turn.

Usage

• This word is used in informal, everyday spoken Vietnamese. It carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, implying that the speaker should perhaps remain silent.
• It describes a state where a person feels compelled to speak, comment, or give an opinion, even when it's better not to.
• Important Note: The word "ngứa mồm" is the primary target term. Its variant "ngứa miệng" is listed separately below.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thấy mọi người im lặng, nó ngứa mồm lên tiếng. (Seeing everyone silent, he felt an itch to speak and spoke up.)
  • Đừng có ngứa mồm mà nói chuyện không cần thiết. (Don't get the urge to speak and say unnecessary things.)
  • Tôi biết là không nên, nhưng tôi ngứa mồm quá, phải nói ra thôi. (I know I shouldn't, but I can't help speaking; I have to say it.)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• The term often implies a lack of self-control or speaking without thinking of the consequences. It can be used humorously about oneself or critically about others.
• It is frequently used in the structure "Đừng/Đứng có ngứa mồm" as a warning or command to tell someone to keep quiet.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngứa miệng (adj, informal): This is a common variant with the same meaning and usage as "ngứa mồm." Both are widely used interchangeably in colloquial speech.
  • Cô ấy ngứa miệng kể hết chuyện cho mọi người nghe. (She had an itching urge to talk and told everyone the whole story.)

Synonyms

• Buồn miệng / Buồn mồm (adj, informal): Literally "bored mouth," also meaning feeling like talking, often about trivial things. It is slightly less intense than "ngứa mồm."
• Nóng miệng (adj, informal): Literally "hot mouth," meaning speaking hastily or impulsively, often in anger.

Related Idioms / Expressions

• Ngứa mồm ngứa miệng: A reinforced form using both variants for emphasis, highlighting the strong, irresistible urge to speak.
  • Nó ngứa mồm ngứa miệng suốt, chẳng chịu im lặng lúc nào. (He's constantly itching to talk and never stays quiet.)

1. (thông tục) cũng nói ngứa miệng +Feel like speaking (even out of turn), cannot help speaking, be itching to speak