boong-ke

Ông chủ đó boong-ke lắm, đừng mong thay đổi quyết định của ông ta.

Definition

1. Adjective (slang):
   • Extremely stubborn, rigid, or unyielding: Used to describe a person who is very difficult to persuade, inflexible in attitude, or harsh in character.
   • Very tough or hard: Can describe a situation or thing that is exceptionally difficult or challenging.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông chủ đó boong-ke lắm, đừng mong thay đổi quyết định của ông ta. (That boss is extremely stubborn; don't hope to change his decision.)
  • Công việc này boong-ke thật, tôi không biết có hoàn thành kịp không. (This job is really tough; I don't know if I can finish it on time.)

Advanced Usage

• The term originates from the French word "bunker," metaphorically evoking the image of something as impenetrable and hard as a military bunker. It is used almost exclusively in colloquial, informal speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Cứng đầu (adj): stubborn, headstrong. (A more common synonym for a stubborn person.)
• Ngoan cố (adj): obstinate, recalcitrant. (Often implies a more willful, persistent stubbornness.)

Synonyms

• Stubborn: having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position.
• Inflexible: unwilling to change or compromise.
• Unyielding: not giving way to pressure; hard or inflexible.

Related Idioms

• While "boong-ke" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, its meaning aligns with expressions describing stubbornness:
  • Cứng như đá: (As hard as stone) - used to describe someone very stubborn or an object very hard.
  • Bảo thủ: (Conservative/stubborn) - clinging to traditional attitudes and values, resistant to change.