Definition

1. Adjective (tt):

   • Teasing, joking, not serious: Describes an action, attitude, or speech that is intentionally playful, teasing, or not meant to be taken seriously. It implies a light-hearted, jesting manner.
   • Pretending not to know, feigning ignorance: Describes the act of pretending not to understand or know something, often in a coy or playful way.

2. Adverb (trgt):

   • In a teasing/joking manner: Indicates that an action (especially speaking) is done in a way that is not serious, but rather playful and provocative.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ấy có thái độ ỡm ờ khi trả lời câu hỏi. (He had a teasing attitude when answering the question.)
  • Đó chỉ là một câu chuyện ỡm ờ, đừng tin. (That's just a joking/not serious story, don't believe it.)

• Adverb:

  • Cô ấy nói ỡm ờ rằng không biết gì cả. (She said teasingly/coyly that she knew nothing.)
  • Mấy anh trai trẻ hỏi ỡm ờ làm cô gái đỏ mặt. (The young men asked in a joking/teasing way, making the girl blush.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm ỡm ờ": To act coyly; to pretend or feign ignorance in a playful manner.

  • Nó cứ làm ỡm ờ như không biết chuyện đã xảy ra. (He kept acting coy as if he didn't know what had happened.)

• "Giọng ỡm ờ": A teasing tone of voice.

  • Nghe giọng ỡm ờ của anh ta, tôi biết anh ta đang đùa. (Hearing his teasing tone, I knew he was joking.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ỡm ỡ (less common variant): Has a similar meaning of being playful, coy, or not straightforward.
• Đùa cợt (v): To joke, to tease. (A more general term for joking/teasing.)
• Trêu chọc (v): To tease, to poke fun at. (Implies more active teasing.)

Synonyms

• Đùa: To joke. (General term for joking.)
• Giỡn: To jest, to joke around. (Informal, similar to 'đùa'.)
• Nói đùa: To speak jokingly.
• Làm bộ: To pretend, to feign. (Focuses on the pretense aspect.)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Nói ỡm ờ: To speak in a teasing/joking manner; to speak coyly.

  • Cô ấy thích nói ỡm ờ để trêu mọi người. (She likes to speak teasingly to joke with everyone.)

• Thái độ ỡm ờ: A teasing/not serious attitude.

  • Đừng có thái độ ỡm ờ với chuyện quan trọng thế này. (Don't have a joking attitude about such an important matter.)

Notes on Meaning

The word "ỡm ờ" carries a nuanced meaning that blends playful teasing with a hint of coyness or deliberate ambiguity. It is not merely joking (đùa); it often involves an element of pretending or being evasive in a light-hearted way. It describes behavior that is intentionally not clear or serious, often to provoke a reaction, flirt, or simply for amusement. The tone is usually familiar and informal.

1. do something in a familiar wat
   • nói ỡm ờ, không tin được
     no one can believe him who speakerin a not serious way
   • Chuyện ỡm ờ
     a not serious story. pretend not to know