Definition

1. Verb:
   • To suppose, to assume: To put forward a personal opinion or thought in a humble, modest, or deferential manner. This term is used to politely introduce a subjective viewpoint, often one that might differ from others or from established thought.
   • To venture to think: To cautiously or respectfully express a private consideration or belief.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi trộm nghĩ là không nên làm thế. (I suppose/humbly think that it is not advisable to do so.)
  • Trộm nghĩ kế hoạch này cần được xem xét thêm. (I venture to think that this plan needs further consideration.)
  • Ông ấy trộm nghĩ rằng cách tiếp cận cũ đã lỗi thời. (He humbly assumed that the old approach was outdated.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is considered somewhat literary or formal and carries a classical nuance. It is used to soften the delivery of a personal opinion, showing respect to the listener or reader and acknowledging that one's view is merely a personal thought.

Variants and Related Words

• Trộm nghĩ is a fixed compound verb. Its components are:
  • Trộm (adv/adj): secretly, furtively; stolen. Here, it conveys a sense of doing something privately or without presumption.
  • Nghĩ (v): to think.
• Related polite phrases for expressing opinion:
  • Tôi nghĩ (I think): A neutral, common phrase.
  • Tôi cho rằng (I believe that): Slightly more formal.
  • Theo ý kiến của tôi (In my opinion): A standard formal phrase.

Synonyms

• Suppose: To assume something to be true for the sake of argument or as a basis for discussion.
• Assume: To accept something as true without proof.
• Humbly think: To express a thought with modesty.
• Venture to think: To dare to put forward an idea cautiously.

Related Idioms

• While trộm nghĩ itself is a set phrase, it functions similarly to English polite disclaimers like:
  • "If I may be so bold...": Used to preface a confident or contrary opinion politely.
  • "I would humbly suggest...": Used to offer advice without sounding forceful.

verb

1. to suppose, to assume