xơn xớt
Definition
- Adjective:
- To be overly or excessively sweet, affectionate, or ingratiating in speech or manner, often in a way that feels insincere, cloying, or exaggerated. It describes behavior or language that is excessively sugary, fawning, or sentimental.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô ấy nói năng xơn xớt quá, nghe không thật lòng. (Her speech is too ingratiating; it doesn't sound sincere.)
- Anh ta có thói quen xơn xớt với sếp. (He has a habit of being overly sweet with the boss.)
- Lời khen xơn xớt của họ khiến tôi khó chịu. (Their cloying praise made me uncomfortable.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "xơn xớt" is often used in a critical or negative sense to highlight the lack of genuineness in overly affectionate or flattering behavior.
Variants and Related Words
- Thơn thớt (adj): This is a synonym with a very similar meaning, also describing speech that is overly smooth, sweet, or glib, often insincerely.
Synonyms
- Ingratiating: intended to gain approval or favor, especially through flattery.
- Cloying: excessively sweet, sentimental, or flattering to the point of being unpleasant.
- Saccharine: excessively sweet or sentimental.
- Fawning: displaying exaggerated flattery or affection.
Related Idioms
- Nói ngọt xớt: An idiom meaning to speak in an excessively sweet or flattering way.
- Đừng nói ngọt xớt nữa, hãy đi thẳng vào vấn đề. (Stop with the sweet talk; get straight to the point.)