Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To have a slip of the tongue; to speak carelessly: The primary meaning of "nhỡ nhời" describes the act of accidentally saying something inappropriate, thoughtless, or regrettable due to a lack of forethought. It implies a verbal mistake one wishes they could take back.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tôi chỉ là nhỡ nhời, thực lòng tôi không có ý đó. (I just had a slip of the tongue; I truly didn't mean that.)
  • Anh ấy nhỡ nhời một câu mà làm mất lòng cả nhóm. (He carelessly said one sentence that offended the whole group.)
  • Đừng trách nó, nó còn trẻ con nên hay nhỡ nhời. (Don't blame him; he's just a child so he often speaks without thinking.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a tone of regret or apology from the speaker, acknowledging that the words spoken were a mistake.
• It is frequently used to explain or excuse an offensive or tactless remark, appealing for forgiveness by attributing it to thoughtlessness rather than malice.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhỡ miệng (adj): This is a direct synonym, also meaning "to have a slip of the tongue." The terms are often used interchangeably.
  • Cô ấy nhỡ miệng tiết lộ bí mật. (She let the secret slip by accident.)

Synonyms

• To blurt out: To say something suddenly and without careful consideration.
• To have a slip of the tongue: To make an unintentional error in speaking.
• To speak thoughtlessly: To talk without considering the consequences.

Related Idioms

• While "nhỡ nhời" itself is a specific term, it relates to the broader concept of regrettable speech. A related Vietnamese idiom is:
  • Lời nói gió bay: Literally "spoken words fly away like the wind," meaning words once spoken cannot be taken back, highlighting the importance of thinking before speaking.