Definition

1. Noun:
   • Ear and eye: "Nhĩ mục" literally means "ear and eye," referring to the organs of hearing and sight. It is an uncommon, literary term.
   • Attention, observation: By extension, it metaphorically signifies the attention, observation, or scrutiny of others, as what is seen and heard.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hành động đó diễn ra ngay trước nhĩ mục của mọi người. (That action took place right before everyone's eyes and ears.)
  • Anh ta không muốn sống dưới nhĩ mục của công chúng. (He does not want to live under the public eye.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhĩ mục quan chiêm": This is a fixed, classical Sino-Vietnamese phrase meaning "under the public gaze" or "in the full view of everyone." It emphasizes that something is happening where it can be clearly seen and heard by all.
  • Sự việc xảy ra ở nơi nhĩ mục quan chiêm. (The incident happened in a public place, under everyone's scrutiny.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tai mắt (n): This is the common, everyday Vietnamese equivalent for "ears and eyes." It can also be used similarly to mean "attention" or "watchful presence."
  • Cô ấy là tai mắt của ông chủ ở chi nhánh này. (She is the boss's eyes and ears at this branch.)

Synonyms

• Sự chú ý: Attention.
• Tầm mắt: Sight, view (more limited to vision).
• Sự giám sát: Surveillance, supervision.

Related Phrases

• Trước mắt công chúng: Before the public eye.
• Dưới sự chứng kiến của mọi người: Under the witness of everyone.

Related Idioms

• Công khai minh bạch: Open and transparent (describing an action done openly, similar in context to being under public scrutiny).
• Giữa thanh thiên bạch nhật: In broad daylight (emphasizing something done openly and brazenly).

1. (ít dùng) Ear and eye
   • Nhĩ mục quan chiêm
     Public eye, everybody's very eyes
   • Phải xử sự lịch sự ở nơi nhĩ mục quan chiêm
     One must behave with decency under (before) everyone's very eyes