Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a whining, nagging, or persistently demanding manner: Describes an action done with continuous, irritating insistence, often in a complaining or fretful tone, typically associated with children or immature behavior.
   • Obstinately and annoyingly: Carries the nuance of being both stubborn and bothersome in one's demands or protests.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Đứa trẻ đòi mua đồ chơi chèo chẹo. (The child nagged and whined persistently to buy a toy.)
  • Nó cứ kêu mệt chèo chẹo suốt cả ngày. (He kept complaining about being tired in a whiny, annoying way all day long.)
  • Đừng có chèo chẹo đòi hỏi nữa! (Stop making those irritating, demanding complaints!)

Advanced Usage

• Often used to describe vocal behavior that is perceived as immature, grating, and difficult to satisfy. It implies a lack of grace in asking and a tendency to pester.
• While commonly applied to children, it can be used for adults behaving in a similarly petulant or unreasonably insistent manner.
  • Anh ta cứ chèo chẹo đòi được tăng lương mà không chịu làm việc. (He kept nagging obstinately for a raise without being willing to work.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chèo (verb): To row (a boat). Note: This is a separate, unrelated word.
• Chẹo (This word is not used independently in modern Vietnamese; it appears almost exclusively in the compound "chèo chẹo").
• Nài nỉ (verb): To plead, to entreat earnestly (can be persistent but not necessarily with the negative, whiny connotation of ).
• Lèo nhèo (adverb/adjective): Very similar in meaning to , also meaning to nag or whine annoyingly.

Synonyms

• Lèo nhèo: Whiningly, naggingly.
• Càu nhàu: Grumblingly, in a grumpy manner.
• Nằng nặc: Insistently, obstinately (strong on stubbornness, less on the whining tone).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Chèo chẹo như trẻ đòi tết: (To whine and nag like a child demanding Lunar New Year gifts) – An idiom emphasizing extremely persistent and childish nagging for something desired.