nhây

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The Vietnamese word "nhây" is an informal term that conveys the idea of being lengthy or drawn out in speech or action. It often has a playful or teasing connotation, suggesting that someone is taking a long time to say something or is being overly repetitive.

Basic Meaning:

• Lengthy talk: "nhây" can be used to describe someone who speaks for a long time without getting to the point, almost as if they are dragging out their words. For example, if someone is telling a story and takes a long time to finish, you might say they are "nói nhây."

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "nhây" when you want to describe a situation where someone is being unnecessarily long-winded. It's commonly used in informal conversations among friends or family.

Example:

1. Nói nhây: "Anh ấy nói nhây quá, không biết chừng nào mới xong câu chuyện!" (He talks too much, I don't know when he'll finish the story!)
2. Cắt nhây: "Mình đã cố cắt thịt nhưng nhây mãi không đứt!" (I tried to cut the meat, but it was like sawing and didn’t break!)

Advanced Usage:

• You might also use "nhây" in a figurative sense to express frustration about a situation that seems to be dragging on unnecessarily. For example, in a meeting that is going on too long without any resolution, you could say, "Cuộc họp này thật nhây."

Word Variants:

• "Nhây nhây": This is a reduplicated form of "nhây," which adds emphasis. It can describe something that is not only lengthy but also drawn out in a repetitive or bothersome way.

Different Meanings:

• While "nhây" mainly refers to lengthiness in speech or action, it can also imply a sense of persistence in trying to achieve something, even if it seems futile, such as in the example of trying to cut meat without success.

Synonyms:

• Dài dòng: This means lengthy or verbose, similar to "nhây" but used more formally.
• Lòng vòng: This means to go around in circles, often used when someone is being indirect or not straightforward in their speech.

Conclusion:

"Nhây" is a versatile word that is mostly used informally to describe lengthy, drawn-out conversations or actions.

Academic

1. Lengthy
   • Nói nhây
     To speak lengthily
2. As if with a saw
   • Cắt nhây mãi không đứt miếng thịt
     To try to cut as if with a saw a bit of meat without success
   • nhây nhây (láy, ý tăng)