Definition

1. Noun:
   • Word, speech, utterance: "Nhời" is a regional (dialectal) phonetic variant of the standard Vietnamese word "lời," meaning a word, something said, or speech.

Usage

• "Nhời" is used in the same grammatical contexts as "lời." It functions as a noun.
• It is primarily found in folk poetry, proverbs, songs, or in the speech of certain regional dialects to preserve rhyme or local flavor.
• In modern standard Vietnamese, "lời" is universally preferred. Using "nhời" in everyday conversation outside its regional or artistic context may sound archaic or overly poetic.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Nghe nhời bố mẹ. (To obey/listen to one's parents' words.)
  • Nhời ăn tiếng nói phải giữ gìn. (One's words and speech must be guarded.) [Common in proverbs]
  • Câu hát ấy chứa đựng nhời vàng ngọc. (That song contains golden words.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhời nói": speech, manner of speaking. This compound is used similarly to "lời nói."
  • Nhời nói của cụ già rất chân tình. (The old man's speech is very sincere.)
• "nhời hứa": a promise. Variant of "lời hứa."
  • Anh ấy giữ trọn nhời hứa. (He kept his promise completely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lời (n): The standard, modern word for "word," "speech," "lyrics," "profit."
  • lời nói (speech), lời hứa (promise), lời bài hát (song lyrics), ăn lời (to make a profit).
• Tiếng (n): Can mean "language," "sound," or "voice." Often paired with "lời/nhời" in fixed expressions.
  • nhời ăn tiếng nói (one's words and speech).

Synonyms

• Lời: Word, speech.
• Câu nói: Utterance, sentence.
• Tiếng nói: Voice, speech.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Nhời (lời) ăn tiếng nói: Refers to one's manner of speaking; implies that one must be careful with their words.
  • Phải biết giữ gìn nhời ăn tiếng nói. (One must know how to guard one's words.)
• Nhời (lời) vàng ngọc: Golden words; precious or valuable advice.
  • Xin ghi nhớ những nhời vàng ngọc ấy. (Please remember those golden words.)
• Nghe nhời: To heed someone's words, to obey.
  • Con cái nên nghe nhời cha mẹ. (Children should obey their parents.)

1. (địa phương) như lời
   • Nghe nhời bố mẹ
     To obey one's parents' word