Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Perverse, wayward, naughty: Used to describe a child who behaves badly, stubbornly, or contrary to expectations, often in a mischievous or willful manner.
   • Mean, cruel: In some contexts, it can imply a degree of malice or unkindness in behavior.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất đành hanh, không chịu nghe lời ai cả. (That child is very wayward and doesn't listen to anyone.)
  • Nó có cái tính đành hanh, hay cãi lại người lớn. (He has a perverse streak and often talks back to adults.)
  • Đừng có đành hanh với em như thế! (Don't be so mean/cruel to your younger sibling like that!)

Advanced Usage

• "tính đành hanh": a perverse/wayward nature.
  • Nó có tính đành hanh từ nhỏ. (He has had a wayward nature since childhood.)
• Used to scold or describe a child's persistent, disobedient behavior that is difficult to manage.

Variants and Related Words

• Hư đốn (adj): Depraved, corrupt. (A stronger, more severe term, usually not for minor childish misbehavior.)
• Bướng bỉnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate. (Focuses on stubbornness rather than perverse mischief.)
• Nghịch ngợm (adj): Mischievous, playful. (Often has a more neutral or even slightly positive connotation compared to .)

Synonyms

• Ngỗ nghịch: Unruly, rebellious.
• Cứng đầu cứng cổ: Hard-headed, pig-headed. (Idiomatic, emphasizes stubbornness.)

Related Idioms

• "Đành hanh đành ngạnh": An intensified form, emphasizing extreme stubbornness or perverseness in behavior.
  • Nó đành hanh đành ngạnh, bảo gì cũng không nghe. (He is extremely obstinate and doesn't listen to any advice.)

1. Behave perversely, behave waywardly (thườg nói về trẻ em)