Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sharp-tongued; tart; acerbic: Describes a person, especially a woman, who frequently speaks in a biting, sarcastic, or spiteful manner. It implies a sour, unpleasant disposition in speech and attitude.
   • Sour; tart: Can describe the literal taste of something, like a lemon (chanh), but when applied to character or words, it is metaphorical, comparing the sour taste to harsh speech.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy nổi tiếng là người chanh chua. (She is known as a sharp-tongued person.)
  • Anh ta không chịu nổi những lời chanh chua của đồng nghiệp. (He couldn't stand his colleague's tart words.)
  • Tính cách chanh chua của bà ấy khiến mọi người xa lánh. (Her acerbic personality makes people avoid her.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often, though not exclusively, applied to women in traditional descriptions. It carries a negative connotation of being unnecessarily critical, gossipy, or mean-spirited.
• It can describe a specific instance of speech () or a person's general character ().

Variants and Related Words

• Đanh đá (adj): Sharp-tongued, shrewish. A close synonym often used interchangeably with .
• Châm chọc (v): To mock, to make sarcastic remarks. This is an action that a person often does.
• Ngoa ngoắt (adj): Deceitful in speech, twisting words. Sometimes associated with the manner of speaking.

Synonyms

• Acerbic: Sharp and forthright in speech or tone.
• Caustic: Bitterly sarcastic.
• Biting: Harsh or cutting in remark.
• Spiteful: Showing malicious ill will.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ăn nói chanh chua: To have a sharp tongue; to speak in a tart, acerbic way.
  • Bà ta ăn nói chanh chua với tất cả mọi người. (She speaks with a sharp tongue to everyone.)
• Miệng lưỡi chanh chua: Similar to the above, emphasizing the "mouth and tongue" as the source of the sour speech.

1. Sharp-tongued, tart, sour
   • những lời chanh chua
     tart words
   • ăn nói chanh chua
     to have a sharp tongue
   • con người chanh chua
     a person with a tart disposition