cạn lời

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The Vietnamese phrase "cạn lời" literally translates to "run out of words." It is commonly used to express a feeling of being speechless or having nothing left to say about a situation, often because it is so surprising, unfortunate, or frustrating that one can't find the right words to respond.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "cạn lời" when you encounter a situation that leaves you shocked or when you feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to react.
• It is often used in casual conversation, especially among friends or in informal contexts.

Example:

1. Context: Your friend tells you a story about a very strange event that happened to them.
   • You might say: "Nghe xong câu chuyện của bạn, mình thật sự cạn lời!" (After hearing your story, I’m truly at a loss for words!)

Advanced Usage:

• You can also use "cạn lời" in written communication, like social media posts, to describe your feelings about an event or news.
• It can convey a sense of disbelief or resignation about a recurring situation, such as repeated bad news or frustrating behavior from someone.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "cạn lời," but you can combine it with other phrases to express more nuanced feelings. For example, "cạn lời với" (at a loss for words with) can be used to specify the subject that causes this feeling.

Different Meanings:

• "Cạn lời" primarily means being speechless due to surprise or frustration. It can also imply that someone has exhausted all possible comments or opinions about a situation.

Synonyms:

• Some synonyms or phrases that convey a similar sentiment include:
  • "không nói nên lời" (cannot say anything)
  • "không còn gì để nói" (nothing left to say)
  • "bó tay" (hands tied), which suggests being unable to do anything about a situation.

Academic

1. Say everything one has to say