Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Tricky; troublesome: Describes a situation, circumstance, or condition that is complicated, awkward, or difficult to resolve, often causing distress or inconvenience.
   • Ironic; bitterly unfortunate: Refers to an outcome or twist of fate that is cruelly or mockingly contrary to what was expected, highlighting a painful incongruity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tình huống này thật là éo le. (This situation is truly tricky/troublesome.)
  • Số phận éo le khiến họ gặp nhau trong hoàn cảnh ấy. (An ironic fate made them meet under those circumstances.)
  • Hoàn cảnh gia đình anh ấy rất éo le. (His family circumstances are very difficult.)

Advanced Usage

• The word éo le is often used to describe complex human dilemmas, emotional conflicts, or social situations where there is no easy or fair solution, emphasizing a sense of being trapped by circumstances.
  • Mối quan hệ éo le giữa hai gia đình đã kéo dài nhiều năm. (The tricky relationship between the two families has lasted for many years.)

Variants and Related Words

• Éo le functions primarily as an adjective. There are no direct verb or noun variants of this exact word. It is often used in fixed descriptive phrases.

Synonyms

• Difficult: hard to manage, resolve, or endure.
• Awkward: causing difficulty; uncomfortable.
• Ironic: happening in the opposite way to what is expected, often with a mocking or sad effect.
• Bitter: (of circumstances) hard to accept; distressing.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Cảnh ngộ éo le: A tricky/difficult plight or situation.
  • Câu chuyện kể về một cảnh ngộ éo le. (The story tells of a difficult plight.)
• Tình thế éo le: A troublesome/awkward state of affairs.
  • Họ lâm vào một tình thế éo le không lối thoát. (They found themselves in a troublesome predicament with no way out.)

adj

1. (hình ảnh) tricky; troublesome