Definition

Adjective/Adverbial phrase: - Excessive, exaggerated, over the top: Refers to speech, comments, or expressions that go beyond what is considered normal, reasonable, or appropriate. It describes language that is too strong, too much, or overly hyperbolic, whether in praise or criticism.

Usage

"Quá lời" is used to describe verbal expressions. It functions as an adjective (often following a verb) or an adverbial phrase modifying a verb of speech. It typically follows verbs like nói (to say), khen (to praise), chê (to criticize), công kích (to attack/criticize).

Examples

• As an adjective/adverbial phrase:
  • Lời khen đó hơi quá lời. (That praise is a bit excessive.)
  • Anh ấy chỉ phạm lỗi nhỏ, đừng chê quá lời. (He only made a small mistake, don't criticize him too harshly.)
  • Bài báo công kích chính sách mới một cách quá lời. (The newspaper attacked the new policy in an exaggerated manner.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nói quá lời": to speak excessively; to exaggerate in speech.
  • Có lẽ tôi đã nói quá lời khi gọi đó là một thảm họa. (Perhaps I spoke too strongly when I called it a disaster.)
• "Lỡ lời" vs. "quá lời": "Lỡ lời" means to say something unintentionally or by mistake (a slip of the tongue), while "quá lời" refers to the excessive nature of the speech content itself.

Variants and Related Words

• Thổi phồng (v): to inflate, to blow out of proportion. This is a verb meaning to exaggerate facts.
  • Truyền thông thổi phồng sự việc. (The media blew the incident out of proportion.)
• Cường điệu (v/adj): to overstate; hyperbolic. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
  • lời lẽ cường điệu (hyperbolic language)
• Ngoa ngôn (n): exaggeration, tall tale (more literary).

Synonyms

• Thái quá: excessive, going too far (can be used for actions or speech).
• Cường điệu: hyperbolic, overstated.
• Khoa trương: boastful, grandiose (often with a sense of showing off).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Lời nói không mất tiền mua, lựa lời mà nói cho vừa lòng nhau": (Words are free, so choose them to please each other.) This proverb advises careful, moderate speech, indirectly warning against speaking "quá lời".
• "Ăn nói quá đáng": to speak in an undue or improper manner. Very close in meaning to "nói quá lời".

1. Excessive, superlative
   • Công kích quá lời
     Excessive criticism
   • Khen quá lời
     Superlative prasie