Definition

1. Noun:
   • Cliché: A phrase, expression, or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning, impact, or novelty, and thus sounds unoriginal and unspontaneous.
   • Hackneyed expression / Platitude: A remark or statement that is predictable and lacks originality because it follows pre-existing, worn-out patterns.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Lời tuyên bố đó đầy sáo ngữ. (That declaration is full of clichés.)
  • Anh ấy tránh dùng những sáo ngữ trong bài viết. (He avoids using hackneyed expressions in his writing.)
  • "Cơn mưa rào mùa hạ" giờ đã trở thành một sáo ngữ. ("The summer downpour" has now become a cliché.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in literary, political, and journalistic criticism to describe language that is stale and fails to convey genuine thought or emotion.
• It can refer not only to phrases but also to stereotypical characters, plot devices, or ideas in creative works.

Variants and Related Words

• Lời sáo rỗng (n): Empty, hollow words; vapid platitudes.
  • Bài diễn văn chỉ là những lời sáo rỗng. (The speech was just empty platitudes.)

Synonyms

• Cliché
• Platitude
• Bromide
• Truism
• Hackneyed phrase

Related Idioms

• Sáo ngữ rỗng tuếch: Utterly hollow clichés; emphasizing the complete lack of substance.
  • Những lời hứa cửa miệng ấy chỉ là sáo ngữ rỗng tuếch. (Those lip-service promises are just utterly hollow clichés.)

1. Cliché