ướm lời
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To sound out / to test the waters (with words): To cautiously and indirectly introduce a topic or make a remark in order to gauge someone's reaction, opinion, or feelings before proceeding further. It implies a tentative, non-committal approach to communication, often to avoid direct confrontation or rejection.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Cô ấy ướm lời hỏi về khả năng tăng lương. (She sounded out the possibility of a raise.)
- Anh ấy ướm lời xem liệu họ có muốn hợp tác không. (He tested the waters to see if they wanted to collaborate.)
- Tôi định ướm lời về chuyến du lịch để xem bố mẹ phản ứng thế nào. (I intended to cautiously bring up the trip to see how my parents would react.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in contexts involving delicate social situations, negotiations, or personal matters where directness might be risky or impolite. It describes a strategic, preliminary step in a conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Dò ý (v): to probe, to sound out. This is a close synonym, often used interchangeably with "ướm lời."
- Hãy dò ý đối tác trước khi đưa ra đề nghị chính thức. (Probe the partner's opinion before making an official offer.)
Synonyms
- To sound out: To try to discover someone's opinions or feelings indirectly.
- To test the waters: To try something cautiously to see if it will be successful or acceptable.
- To broach a subject tentatively: To mention a subject for the first time in a careful way.
Related Idioms
- Nói bóng nói gió: to speak in hints or allusions; to make indirect remarks. This idiom shares the indirectness of "ướm lời" but can be more about hinting than specifically testing a reaction.
- Anh ta cứ nói bóng nói gió về một món quà bất ngờ. (He kept dropping hints about a surprise gift.)