Definition

Noun: - Secret thought / Hidden intention: A thought, meaning, or intention that is deliberately kept concealed and not openly expressed. It refers to an underlying motive or purpose behind words or actions. - Ulterior motive: A deeper, often undisclosed, reason for doing or saying something.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Đừng nói thẳng, hãy hiểu thâm ý của tôi. (Don't take it literally, understand my hidden meaning.)
  • Câu nói đó nghe bình thường nhưng ẩn chứa một thâm ý. (That statement sounds normal but contains a secret intention.)
  • Tôi nghi ngờ anh ta có thâm ý gì khác. (I suspect he has some ulterior motive.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in contexts involving diplomacy, subtle communication, literature, or situations where reading between the lines is necessary. It implies a layer of meaning that requires interpretation.

Variants and Related Words

• Ý đồ (n): intention, design (can be neutral or negative, but is often more overt than ).
  • Ý đồ của kẻ phá hoại đã bị phát hiện. (The saboteur's intention was discovered.)
• Ẩn ý (n): implied meaning, subtext (very close in meaning to , often interchangeable).
  • Bài thơ chứa đựng nhiều ẩn ý sâu xa. (The poem contains many profound implied meanings.)

Synonyms

• Hidden agenda: A secret plan or motive.
• Ulterior motive: A reason for action that is hidden or different from the apparent reason.
• Subtext: The underlying or implicit meaning in a text or conversation.

Related Idioms

• "Nói có thâm ý": to speak with a hidden meaning; to make a pointed remark.
  • Cô ấy nói câu đó chắc có thâm ý. (She must have said that with some hidden intention.)
• "Hiểu được thâm ý": to grasp the underlying meaning.
  • Người nghe tinh tế sẽ hiểu được thâm ý. (A perceptive listener will grasp the hidden meaning.)

noun

1. secret thought