to tiếng
Definition
Adjective:
- Loud and angry (in speech): Describes voices or speech that are raised, harsh, and aggressive, typically during a heated argument or confrontation.
- Quarrelsome (in tone): Characterizes the nature of a verbal exchange where people are speaking to each other in a hostile, bickering manner.
Verb (to be/become "to tiếng"):
- To argue loudly / to quarrel noisily: Refers to the act of engaging in a fierce, vocal dispute where voices are raised in anger.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Hai người hàng xóm nói chuyện rất to tiếng. (The two neighbors were speaking in very loud, angry voices.)
- Cuộc tranh luận trở nên to tiếng. (The debate became loud and quarrelsome.)
Verb:
- Họ bắt đầu to tiếng với nhau về vấn đề tiền bạc. (They began to argue loudly with each other about the money issue.)
- Đừng to tiếng ở nơi công cộng. (Don't quarrel noisily in public.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies a loss of composure and a public or audible display of conflict. It is more specific than simply being loud; it carries the connotation of anger, dispute, and lack of civility in speech.
Variants and Related Words
- Cãi nhau (v): to argue, to quarrel. This is a more general term for arguing, while specifies the loud and angry manner.
- Tranh cãi (v/n): to dispute, to debate; a dispute. Can be less emotionally charged than .
- Gây gổ (v): to pick a fight, to be aggressive. Focuses more on the instigation of conflict.
Synonyms
- To quarrel loudly
- To have a shouting match
- To bicker angrily
- To be in a heated argument
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To tiếng với nhau: To be in a loud argument with each other.
- Họ không nên to tiếng với nhau trước mặt con cái. (They shouldn't have a loud argument in front of the children.)