Definition

1. Idiomatic Phrase / Verb Phrase:
   • To make empty promises; to talk without taking any corresponding action. It describes speech that is not backed up by deeds, implying a lack of sincerity or commitment to follow through.
   • To pay lip service; to state an intention or agreement verbally but with no real intention of fulfilling it.

Usage Examples

• Idiomatic Phrase:
  • Đừng có nói suông, hãy hành động đi. (Don't just make empty promises, take action.)
  • Lời hứa của anh ta chỉ là nói suông mà thôi. (His promise was just lip service.)
  • Tôi không thích những người nói suông. (I don't like people who talk but don't act.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a tone of criticism, disappointment, or frustration towards the person who is "nói suông". It highlights the gap between words and deeds.
• It can be used in various tenses by conjugating the verb "nói" (to speak):
  • Anh ấy đã nói suông. (He made empty promises.)
  • Cô ấy đang nói suông đấy. (She is just paying lip service.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hứa suông (v): to promise in vain; a more specific variant focusing on making false or empty promises.
  • Anh ấy hứa suông sẽ giúp tôi. (He made an empty promise to help me.)
• Nói gió bay (idiom): Literally "to let words fly away with the wind"; meaning to speak irresponsibly or to say things one does not mean or will not remember.

Synonyms

• To pay lip service: To express support or agreement insincerely, without action.
• To make empty promises: To assure someone of something you will not do.
• To be all talk (and no action): An informal idiom describing someone who talks a lot about doing something but never does it.

Related Idioms

• Nói một đàng làm một nẻo: To say one thing and do another; to be inconsistent between words and actions.
  • Lãnh đạo không nên nói một đàng làm một nẻo. (Leaders should not say one thing and do another.)
• Lời nói gió bay: Literally "words fly away with the wind"; meaning words are forgotten or not taken seriously, similar to empty talk.

1. Have a long tongue but a short hand