Definition

1. Adjective: - Teenage, adolescent: Describes a person, typically in their teenage years, who is not yet fully grown or mature. It emphasizes the transitional stage between childhood and adulthood. - Not fully grown, juvenile: Can describe young animals that are not yet fully developed or mature.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Con lợn choai. (A not fully grown pig.)
  • Cô bé choai choai. (A teen-age girl, a teenager.)
  • Cậu bé choai choai. (A stripling.)
  • Giọng nói của nó nghe còn choai choai lắm. (His/her voice still sounds very adolescent.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often reduplicated as "choai choai" to add emphasis or a descriptive, sometimes slightly endearing or playful tone when referring to teenagers or young adults who appear youthful or not fully mature.
  • Anh chàng mới hai mươi mà trông còn choai choai. (The guy is already twenty but still looks like a teenager.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thiếu niên (n): Adolescent, teenager (a more formal/standard term).
• Mới lớn (adj phrase): Newly grown, pubescent (describes the state of just entering adolescence).
• Trẻ trâu (n, slang): A derogatory slang term for a reckless, immature young person (not a direct synonym but shares the concept of immaturity).

Synonyms

• Vị thành niên: Underage, minor.
• Tuổi teen: Teenage (borrowed from English).

Notes on Meaning

• "Choai" is a colloquial adjective. It is not used in formal writing. Its usage often carries a nuanced tone, which can be neutral, descriptive, slightly teasing, or affectionate depending on the context.
• It primarily describes the physical appearance and perceived maturity level associated with adolescence, rather than stating a precise age.

adj

1. Teenage, not fully grown
   • con lợn choai
     a not fully grown pig
   • cô bé choai choai
     a teen-age girl, a teenager
   • cậu bé choai choai
     a stripling