Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slimy; viscous; glutinous: Describes a surface or substance that is unpleasantly slippery, sticky, and moist, often like mucus or the skin of a leech.
   • Soft but leathery; stringy: Describes a texture, especially of meat, that is soft yet tough, fibrous, and difficult to chew.
   • Irresolute; indecisive; dilly-dallying: Describes a person's character or behavior as hesitant, wavering, or lacking firmness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Slimy):

  • Da con ốc sên rất bầy nhầy. (The snail's skin is very slimy.)
  • Con đỉa no máu, phơi cái bụng bầy nhầy. (The blood-filled leech exposed its slimy belly.)

• Adjective (Soft but leathery):

  • Miếng thịt bầy nhầy khó nhai. (The stringy piece of meat is hard to chew.)
  • Thịt bò già nấu lâu vẫn bầy nhầy. (The old beef is still tough even after long cooking.)

• Adjective (Irresolute):

  • Tính nết bầy nhầy khó mà quyết định được. (An irresolute character makes it hard to decide.)
  • Đừng có bầy nhầy nữa, phải làm ngay đi. (Stop dilly-dallying; you must do it now.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is primarily used in its literal, physical senses. The figurative use to describe character is less common and can carry a negative, critical tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhầy nhụa (adj): Also means slimy, sticky, or greasy, often with a stronger negative connotation of dirtiness.
  • Tay dính dầu nhớt nhầy nhụa. (Hands are greasy with slimy engine oil.)

Synonyms

• Slimy/Viscous: nhầy, nhớt, dính.
• Stringy/Tough: dai, xơ.
• Irresolute: do dự, lưỡng lự, thiếu quyết đoán.

Related Idioms

• Tính bầy nhầy: An idiomatic phrase directly describing an irresolute or wavering nature.
  • Cậu ấy có tính bầy nhầy nên hay bỏ lỡ cơ hội. (He has an irresolute nature so he often misses opportunities.)

adj

1. Slimy
   • con đỉa no máu, phơi cái bụng bầy nhầy
     the blood-filled leech showed its slimy belly
2. Soft but leathery
   • miếng thịt bầy nhầy
     a soft but leathery cut of meat
3. Irresolute, dillying-dallying