ngậm họng

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The Vietnamese phrase "ngậm họng" literally means to "shut one's breath" or "keep absolutely quiet." It is a colloquial expression that indicates someone is being silent or not speaking at all, often in a situation where they might want to speak but choose not to.

Usage Instructions

• Context: Use "ngậm họng" when you want to describe a situation where someone is intentionally remaining silent or is being very quiet.
• Tone: It can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying that someone is being silent perhaps when they should be speaking up or expressing their opinion.

Example Sentences

1. Simple Example: "Khi được hỏi ý kiến, anh ấy chỉ ngậm họng."
   (When asked for his opinion, he just kept quiet.)

2. Advanced Usage: "Trong cuộc họp, mọi người đều ngậm họng, không ai dám nói lên suy nghĩ của mình."
   (In the meeting, everyone kept silent; no one dared to voice their thoughts.)

Word Variants

• Ngậm: This verb means "to hold" or "to keep in the mouth." It can be used in other contexts, such as "ngậm kẹo" (to hold candy in the mouth).
• Họng: This noun refers to the throat. In different contexts, it can refer to the act of swallowing or the physical throat itself.

Different Meanings

While "ngậm họng" primarily refers to being silent, in different contexts, the components of the phrase can take on different meanings. For instance: - "Ngậm" can mean to hold or keep something in, while "họng" can refer to the throat, which is why this phrase can sometimes imply a physical act of holding back.

Synonyms

• Im lặng: This means "to be silent" or "to keep quiet." It is more formal and widely understood.
• Trầm lặng: This means "quiet" or "silent," often used to describe a person's demeanor.

Summary

"Ngậm họng" is a useful phrase for expressing silence in situations where someone might usually speak up.

Academic

1. (ít dùng) Shut one's breath
2. Keep absolutely quiet