nói xa
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To speak indirectly / to hint: To communicate something by implying it rather than stating it directly, often using figurative or roundabout language.
- To speak in a veiled manner: To make a point by referring to something else, allowing the listener to infer the intended meaning.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Anh ấy không chỉ trích thẳng, mà chỉ nói xa nói gần. (He didn't criticize directly, but only spoke in hints and allusions.)
- Đừng nói xa nữa, hãy đi thẳng vào vấn đề. (Stop speaking indirectly and get straight to the point.)
Advanced Usage
- This phrase is often used in the reduplicated form "nói xa nói gần", which emphasizes the act of making indirect remarks or circling around a topic.
- Cô ấy cứ nói xa nói gần về chuyện cưới xin. (She kept making indirect remarks about marriage.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nói bóng (v): to speak figuratively; to hint.
- Anh ấy thích nói bóng hơn là nói thẳng. (He prefers to speak figuratively rather than directly.)
- Nói mát (v): to make a sarcastic or biting indirect remark.
- Lời nói mát của anh ta khiến cô ấy khó chịu. (His sarcastic remark made her uncomfortable.)
Synonyms
- To hint: To suggest something indirectly.
- To imply: To indicate something without expressly stating it.
- To allude: To refer to something indirectly or covertly.
Related Idioms
- Nói xa nói gần: To speak in a roundabout way; to beat around the bush. This is the most common idiomatic usage.
- Suốt buổi họp, ông ấy chỉ nói xa nói gần về sai sót của dự án. (Throughout the meeting, he only beat around the bush about the project's shortcomings.)