Definition

1. Verb:
   • To nag persistently and critically: To repeatedly criticize, scold, or find fault with someone in a harsh, petty, and annoying manner. It implies a continuous, grating action that wears down the recipient.
   • To henpeck: To subject someone, especially a family member, to constant fault-finding and domineering criticism.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy chì chiết chồng suốt ngày về những chuyện nhỏ nhặt. (She nags her husband all day about trivial matters.)
  • Bà mẹ chồng hay chì chiết con dâu. (The mother-in-law often nags her daughter-in-law.)
  • Đừng chì chiết tôi nữa! (Stop nagging me!)

Advanced Usage

• The verb often describes a one-sided, oppressive dynamic, typically within hierarchical or close relationships (e.g., parent-child, mother-in-law/daughter-in-law, spouse). It carries a strong negative connotation of unjustified or excessive criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Chì (v, archaic/regional): To criticize, to blame. This root is now rarely used alone but forms the basis of chì chiết.
• Mắng chửi (v): To scold and curse. This is stronger and more abusive than chì chiết, which focuses more on persistent, nitpicking criticism.

Synonyms

• Nag: To annoy by constant fault-finding or demands.
• Harp on: To talk about something persistently in a critical way.
• Henpeck: (Especially of a wife) to criticize and nag a husband.

Related Idioms

• While chì chiết itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the behavior it describes is central to phrases like:
  • Bị chì chiết sấp mặt: To be nagged relentlessly (to the point of being overwhelmed).

verb

1. To nag
   • chì chiết suốt ngày
     to be nagging all day long