nửa lời

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The Vietnamese phrase "nửa lời" literally translates to "half a word" in English. It is used to describe a situation where someone understands what another person means without needing a full explanation or a lot of words. Essentially, if someone "nói nửa lời," it means they are able to take a hint or grasp the meaning from a subtle suggestion or implication.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "nửa lời" in conversations when someone understands the context or the underlying message without it being explicitly stated.
• It is often used in informal situations, typically among friends or in casual conversations.

Example:

• "Cô ấy không cần phải nói nhiều, chỉ cần nhìn tôi một cái là tôi đã hiểu nửa lời." (She didn’t need to say much; just one look at me and I understood her hint.)

Advanced Usage:

• In more complex conversations, "nửa lời" can be used to refer to someone's ability to read between the lines in discussions that may involve sensitive topics or unspoken feelings.

Word Variants:

• "Nửa câu" - This means "half a sentence" and can be used similarly to express understanding from partial information.
• "Nói nửa lời" - This is the phrase you would use to indicate that someone is speaking in hints or not fully expressing their thoughts.

Different Meanings:

While "nửa lời" primarily means to take a hint, it can also imply a lack of clarity in communication, where not everything is said directly.

Synonyms:

• "Nói bóng gió" - This means "to speak indirectly" or "to imply," which conveys a similar idea of hinting at something without stating it outright.
• "Hiểu ý" - This translates to "to understand the intention," and it can be used in a similar context.

Academic

1. Nói nửa lời là hiểu
2. To know how to take a hint