Definition

Verb: - To act or speak in an overly familiar, teasing, or flirtatious manner, typically directed towards women. The behavior implies a lack of proper respect or boundaries, often involving jokes, light physical gestures, or comments that are considered too forward or presumptuous.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta có thói quen bờm xơm với các đồng nghiệp nữ. (He has a habit of being overly familiar with his female colleagues.)
  • Đừng có bờm xơm với cô ấy như vậy, thật là khiếm nhã. (Don't tease her in such a familiar way; it's really impolite.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used to describe a man's inappropriate behavior towards women. It carries a negative connotation, criticizing the behavior as disrespectful, ungentlemanly, or crude.
• It often describes not a single action but a habitual pattern of behavior.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhờn (adj/verb): To become cheeky, impudent, or overly familiar; to lose a sense of respectful distance. While similar, "nhờn" can be used in broader contexts, not solely with women.
  • Thằng bé ngày càng nhờn mặt. (That boy is getting more and more impudent.)

Synonyms

• To flirt (in a crude or disrespectful way)
• To tease inappropriately
• To be overly familiar
• To take liberties (with someone)

Related Idioms

• Ăn nói bờm xơm: To speak in a brash, overly familiar, or disrespectful manner.
  • Hắn ta ăn nói bờm xơm, chẳng coi ai ra gì. (He speaks with such disrespectful familiarity, looking down on everyone.)

verb

1. To tease or joke in a too familiar way (với phụ nữ)
   • có tính hay bờm xơm với phụ nữ
     to be in the habit of teasing females in a too familiar way