Definition

1. Verb:
   • To play a mean prank (on someone): The primary meaning of "đùa nhả" is to play a joke or trick on someone that is considered inappropriate, excessive, or in bad taste. It implies a joke that goes too far or is not funny to the recipient.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng có đùa nhả như thế, nó sợ đấy. (Don't play a mean prank like that; he's scared.)
  • Mấy đứa bạn đùa nhả tôi bằng một con nhện giả. (My friends played a mean prank on me with a fake spider.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "đùa nhả" carries a negative connotation and is used to criticize a joke that is annoying, frightening, or causes minor harm or distress, rather than harmless fun.

Variants and Related Words

• Đùa (v): to joke, to kid. This is the neutral, general term for joking.

  • Anh ấy chỉ đang đùa thôi. (He is just joking.)

• Trêu chọc (v): to tease, to poke fun at.

  • Họ thích trêu chọc nhau. (They like to tease each other.)

Synonyms

• To pull a mean prank: To execute a trick that is unkind or excessive.
• To play a nasty joke: To engage in humor that is malicious or upsetting.

Related Idioms

• Đùa dai: to persist with a joke even when it is no longer funny or welcome.

  • Đừng đùa dai, nó đang khó chịu đấy. (Don't keep pushing the joke; he's getting annoyed.)

• Đùa cho sướng miệng: to joke for one's own amusement without considering others' feelings.

  • Anh ta chỉ đùa cho sướng miệng, chẳng nghĩ đến người nghe. (He just jokes for his own amusement, without thinking about the listener.)