sang tai
Definition
- Verb (idiomatic):
- To speak through someone else / to have someone speak on one's behalf: The phrase "sang tai" literally means "to pass through the ear." It describes the act of using another person as an intermediary to convey a message, often to avoid speaking directly, to add weight, or to navigate a delicate social or political situation.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Ông ấy không muốn nói trực tiếp nên đã sang tai cho trợ lý. (He didn't want to speak directly, so he had his assistant speak for him.)
- Trong cuộc đàm phán, họ thường sang tai để thăm dò ý kiến đối phương. (In negotiations, they often use intermediaries to sound out the other side's opinion.)
Advanced Usage
- The concept is often used in contexts of diplomacy, business negotiations, or complex social interactions where indirect communication is strategic.
- It implies a calculated move where the original speaker remains formally detached from the message, allowing for deniability or reduced confrontation.
Variants and Related Words
- Nói hộ (v): to speak for someone, to say something on someone's behalf. This is a more general and direct term.
- Tôi sẽ nói hộ anh ấy với giám đốc. (I will speak for him to the director.)
Synonyms
- To use a mouthpiece: to have someone express your views.
- To speak through an intermediary: to communicate via a third party.
- To pass a message indirectly: to convey information not directly from the source.
Related Idioms
- Nói vòng vo: to beat around the bush. While related to indirect communication, this focuses on the speaker's own evasive style, not on using another person.
- Đừng nói vòng vo nữa, hãy đi thẳng vào vấn đề. (Stop beating around the bush; get straight to the point.)