Definition

Verb: - To play, to frolic, to romp: To engage in lively, playful, and often mischievous activity, typically for amusement. It implies a more boisterous, energetic, or slightly naughty form of play than simple "chơi" (to play).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Các em nhỏ đang đùa nghịch trong vườn. (The children are frolicking in the garden.)
  • Đừng đùa nghịch với những dụng cụ nguy hiểm. (Don't play around with dangerous tools.)
  • Lũ mèo con thích đùa nghịch với cuộn len. (The kittens love to romp with the ball of yarn.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a connotation of harmless mischief or energetic, carefree play. It is commonly used to describe the playful behavior of children or young animals.

Variants and Related Words

• Đùa (v): to joke, to tease, to play (in a general or verbal sense).
• Nghịch (v): to play mischievously, to fiddle with something.
• Nô đùa (v): to play joyfully and noisily.

Synonyms

• Frolic: to play and move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically.
• Romp: to play in a lively, boisterous manner.
• Play around: to engage in casual or non-serious play.

Related Idioms

• Đùa nghịch với lửa: to play with fire (to engage in a dangerous or risky activity).
  • Đầu tư mà không nghiên cứu giống như đùa nghịch với lửa. (Investing without research is like playing with fire.)

verb

1. to play