Definition

Verb: - To behave in a fussy, officious, or self-important manner; to bustle about meddlesomely. It describes the action of someone who is overly busy, often unnecessarily, trying to appear important or involved in matters, sometimes to the point of being annoying or intrusive.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bọn tay sai bắng nhắng quanh ông chủ. (The lackeys fussed officiously around their boss.)
  • Đừng có bắng nhắng vào chuyện của người khác. (Don't meddle fussily in other people's business.)
  • Cô ấy cứ bắng nhắng lên khi thấy mọi người bận rộn. (She always starts bustling about self-importantly when she sees everyone else busy.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• The word "bắng nhắng" carries a negative connotation. It implies criticism of someone who is being bothersome, meddlesome, or pretending to be more important or busier than they actually are in a given situation.
• It often describes behavior that is perceived as unnecessary, intrusive, or done for show.

Variants and Related Words

• Lăng xăng (verb): To bustle about, to be overly active. This is a close synonym but may lack the strong connotation of "putting on airs" that "bắng nhắng" has. often simply means being physically busy and active.
• Làm bộ làm tịch (idiomatic phrase): To put on airs, to affect a manner.

Synonyms

• To fuss (about/over): To show unnecessary or excessive excitement, activity, or interest.
• To bustle (about): To move in an energetic and busy manner.
• To meddle (in): To interfere in something that is not one's concern.
• To put on airs: To behave in a way that is intended to impress others by appearing more important than one is.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chân ướt chân ráo đã bắng nhắng: (Literally: Feet still wet, feet already dry, yet fussing about). Used to criticize someone for starting to meddle or act officiously in a new situation where they barely have any standing or understanding.
• Bắng nhắng như chuồn chuồn đạp nước: (Literally: Fussing like a dragonfly skimming water). An idiom comparing the fussy, busy, but superficial and non-substantial behavior to a dragonfly lightly touching the water's surface.

verb

1. To behave like a bumble, to fuss
   • bọn tay sai bắng nhắng
     the hirelings fussed about