nói ngọt
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To speak sweetly / To use sweet talk: To speak in a deliberately gentle, flattering, or coaxing manner, often with the intention of persuading, pleasing, or deceiving someone. The tone is soft and pleasing to the ear.
- To cajole / To wheedle: To use insincerely kind or flattering words to influence someone to do something.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Anh ta nói ngọt để xin cô ấy tha thứ. (He spoke sweetly to ask for her forgiveness.)
- Đừng tin khi họ nói ngọt như vậy. (Don't trust them when they use such sweet talk.)
- Cô ấy nói ngọt với khách hàng để bán được hàng. (She cajoles customers to make a sale.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies a strategic or manipulative intent behind the pleasant words. It is not typically used for genuine, heartfelt compliments.
- It can describe a temporary behavior adopted for a specific purpose, contrasting with a person's usual way of speaking.
Variants and Related Words
- Nói ngon nói ngọt (verb phrase): An intensified form meaning to use very persuasive and sweet-talking language.
- Hắn nói ngon nói ngọt để lấy lòng sếp. (He used all his sweet-talking charms to curry favor with the boss.)
Synonyms
- To sweet-talk: To persuade or influence by flattery.
- To coax: To persuade gently and patiently.
- To butter someone up: To flatter someone excessively.
Related Idioms
- Nói ngọt lọt đến xương (idiom): Literally "sweet talk that penetrates to the bones." It means words that are so flattering and pleasing they are profoundly effective in winning someone over, often highlighting the power of insincere praise.
- Lời đường mật của hắn đúng là nói ngọt lọt đến xương. (His honeyed words are truly the kind of sweet talk that gets deep under your skin.)