Definition

1. Verb:
   • To argue obstinately; to argue stubbornly: To engage in an argument in a willful, unreasonable, and headstrong manner, often without a proper basis or logical reasoning. The action implies a refusal to listen or concede, even when wrong.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất hay cãi bướng với bố mẹ. (That child often argues obstinately with his parents.)
  • Anh ấy biết mình sai nhưng vẫn cố cãi bướng. (He knows he is wrong but still tries to argue stubbornly.)
  • Đừng cãi bướng khi không có lý lẽ thuyết phục. (Don't argue obstinately when you don't have a convincing argument.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a negative connotation, describing an argumentative attitude that is seen as disrespectful, defiant, or childish. It is typically used to criticize someone's behavior in a dispute.
• It can describe a persistent, illogical defense of one's position, not necessarily in a formal debate but in everyday disagreements.

Variants and Related Words

• Cãi (verb): to argue, to dispute.
• Bướng bỉnh (adjective): stubborn, obstinate. (Describes a person's general character trait.)
• Cãi lại (verb): to talk back, to argue back. (Can be less intense than "cãi bướng".)
• Cãi cùn (verb, colloquial): to argue pointlessly or with weak reasoning.

Synonyms

• Argue stubbornly: (Cách diễn đạt trực tiếp nhất)
• Be obstinate in argument: (Cụm từ trang trọng hơn)
• Talk back defiantly: (Nhấn mạnh sự thách thức)

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• : (A reduplicated form for emphasis) To argue very obstinately and persistently.
  • Nó cứ cãi bướng cãi bướng mãi không thôi. (He just kept arguing obstinately without stopping.)

Related Idioms

• Cãi như chày cối: (To argue like a pestle and mortar - meaning to argue relentlessly and noisily). This idiom emphasizes the persistent and annoying nature of the arguing, similar to "cãi bướng" but with a stronger focus on the incessant noise.
  • Hai đứa trẻ cãi nhau như chày cối cả buổi. (The two children argued relentlessly the whole afternoon.)

verb

1. to argue obstinately