Definition

1. Verb:
   • To grumble, to mutter, to complain in a low, discontented voice: "càu nhàu" describes the action of speaking in a low, indistinct voice to express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or irritation, often without directly confronting the cause. It implies a sullen or peevish tone.
   • To grouse, to gripe: It can also mean to express a petty complaint or criticism in a persistent, nagging manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn càu nhàu về thời tiết nóng bức. (He always grumbles about the hot weather.)
  • Nghe thấy tiếng càu nhàu từ phòng bên, tôi biết ông ấy đang không vui. (Hearing the muttering from the next room, I knew he was unhappy.)
  • Cô ấy càu nhàu một mình khi phải dọn dẹp. (She griped to herself while having to clean up.)

Advanced Usage

• "càu nhàu với ai đó": to grumble/gripe to someone.
  • Đừng càu nhàu với tôi về chuyện đó. (Don't grumble to me about that.)
• "càu nhàu trong miệng": to mutter under one's breath.
  • Cậu bé càu nhàu trong miệng rồi bỏ đi. (The boy muttered under his breath and walked away.)
• Describing a habitual complainer: While "càu nhàu" is primarily a verb, the state can be described.
  • Anh ta có thói quen càu nhàu. (He has a habit of grumbling.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cằn nhằn (verb): Often used interchangeably with "càu nhàu," meaning to nag or complain persistently. "Cằn nhằn" can sometimes imply a slightly more vocal or direct complaint.
• Lầm bầm (verb): To mumble, mutter. It can be neutral or discontented but is less specifically about complaint than "càu nhàu."
• Gắt gỏng (adjective): Irritable, snappish. Describes a grumpy mood that often leads to "càu nhàu."

Synonyms

• Phàn nàn (verb): To complain. This is a more general and formal term for expressing dissatisfaction.
• Grumble (verb): To complain in a bad-tempered way (closest English equivalent).
• Mutter (verb): To speak in a low, barely audible voice, often in discontent.

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Tiếng càu nhàu: The sound or act of grumbling.
  • Căn phòng im lặng, chỉ vang lên tiếng càu nhàu của ông lão. (The room was silent, only the old man's grumbling could be heard.)
• Vẻ mặt càu nhàu: A grumpy/disgruntled facial expression.
  • Cô ấy bước vào với vẻ mặt càu nhàu. (She walked in with a grumpy look.)

Related Idioms

• Càu nhàu như mắc phải: (Simile) To grumble as if afflicted by something; to grumble incessantly.
  • Suốt buổi sáng, bác ấy càu nhàu như mắc phải. (He's been grumbling non-stop all morning.)

verb

1. To grumble, to grunt, to growl
   • càu nhàu với bạn
     to grumble to one's friends