Definition

1. Verb:
   • To say sweetly ironical words; to make sarcastic remarks disguised as praise or gentle speech: "nói mát" refers to the act of speaking in a seemingly gentle, complimentary, or sweet manner, but with an underlying intention to criticize, mock, or reproach. The true meaning is the opposite of the literal, pleasant words.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy không trực tiếp phàn nàn mà chỉ nói mát vài câu. (She didn't complain directly but just made a few sweetly sarcastic remarks.)
  • Anh ta thường nói mát khi không hài lòng với ai đó. (He often speaks with veiled sarcasm when he is dissatisfied with someone.)
  • Đừng nói mát nữa, có gì cứ nói thẳng ra đi. (Stop making backhanded compliments; if you have something to say, just say it directly.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói mát nói dai": to persistently make sarcastic or veiled critical remarks.
  • Cô ấy nói mát nói dai về chuyện đó cả tuần nay. (She has been making persistent snide comments about that matter all week.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nói bóng gió (verb): to speak insinuatingly, to hint at something (often negative) without stating it directly. This is a close synonym but can be broader than "nói mát," which specifically implies a sweet or gentle tone masking criticism.
• Nói mỉa (verb): to speak sarcastically or mockingly. This is a stronger, more direct synonym for sarcasm, often without the "sweet" disguise of "nói mát."
• Nói xa xôi (verb): to speak in a roundabout way.

Synonyms

• To make a backhanded compliment: to give a compliment that also serves as an insult or criticism.
• To speak with veiled sarcasm: to use sarcasm that is not immediately obvious.
• To be snide: to be derogatory or mocking in an indirect way.

Related Phrases

• Giọng nói mát (noun phrase): a sweetly sarcastic tone of voice.
  • Tôi không thích cái giọng nói mát của anh ta chút nào. (I don't like his sweetly sarcastic tone at all.)

Related Idioms

• Miệng nam mô bụng bồ dao găm: (Literally: A mouth chanting Buddhist prayers, a belly holding a dagger). This idiom describes hypocrisy and deceit, similar to the concept behind "nói mát" where pleasant words hide malicious intent.
• Khẩu Phật tâm xà: (Literally: A Buddha's mouth, a snake's heart). Another idiom for someone whose kind words hide a vicious heart, closely related to the essence of "nói mát."

1. say a few sweetly ironical words