Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To guess (without basis): To say something without having sufficient knowledge, evidence, or information; to make a random or uninformed guess.
   • To talk nonsense / to talk rubbish: To speak in a foolish or nonsensical way, often based on assumption rather than fact.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Đừng có nói mò! (Don't just guess / Don't talk nonsense!)
  • Nó không biết gì, nó đang nói mò đấy. (He doesn't know anything; he's just guessing.)
  • Cô ấy nói mò về kết quả cuộc thi. (She made a wild guess about the contest results.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a strong tone of criticism or dismissal, implying the speaker's words are unreliable and should not be taken seriously.
• It is commonly used in arguments or debates to discredit the other person's point due to a lack of supporting facts.

Variants and Related Words

• Nói bừa (v): To talk at random; to say something carelessly without thinking. Often used interchangeably with nói mò.

  • Anh ta toàn nói bừa cho xong chuyện. (He just says anything to get it over with.)

• Nói liều (v): To say something recklessly or daringly, often without considering the consequences.

  • Cậu đừng nói liều như thế. (Don't speak so recklessly.)

Synonyms

• To guess wildly: To make a guess with no basis.
• To talk through one's hat: To talk foolishly about something one does not understand.
• To speculate baselessly: To form a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

Related Idioms

• Nói như rồng leo: To talk extravagantly or boastfully (often with little truth).

  • Hắn nói như rồng leo, đừng tin. (He talks a big game; don't believe him.)

• Nói không có sách, mách không có chứng: To speak without a source, to accuse without proof (a proverb emphasizing the need for evidence).

  • Anh ấy cứ nói mò, đúng là nói không có sách, mách không có chứng. (He's just guessing; it's a classic case of speaking without a source.)

1. Guess
   • Bạn chỉ nói mò thôi!
     You are just guessing!