cài nhài
Definition
1. Verb (Intransitive): - To pester, to nag persistently, to insist annoyingly: To repeatedly and bothersomely ask for or demand something. This word describes an insistent, often irritating, manner of requesting or complaining.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nó cứ cài nhài đòi mua đồ chơi mới. (He keeps pestering to buy a new toy.)
- Đừng có cài nhài về chuyện đó nữa! (Stop nagging about that matter!)
- Khách hàng cài nhài đòi giảm giá thêm. (The customer kept insisting annoyingly for a further discount.)
Advanced Usage Notes
- Tone and Register: "Cài nhài" is an informal, colloquial word, often used in spoken Vietnamese. It carries a negative connotation, implying the speaker finds the persistent behavior irritating or unreasonable.
- Typical Contexts: Commonly used to describe the behavior of children making repeated demands, or of someone complaining or bargaining in a persistent, bothersome way.
Variants and Related Words
- Càu nhàu (verb): To grumble, to mutter complaints in a low, discontented voice. While also indicating complaint, "càu nhàu" focuses more on the murmuring sound rather than the persistent demanding nature of "cài nhài".
- Nài nỉ (verb): To plead, to entreat earnestly. "Nài nỉ" is more about earnest, persistent pleading and can be neutral or slightly positive, whereas "cài nhài" is almost always negative and annoying.
- Lèo nhèo (verb): To whine, to fuss. Similar to "cài nhài" in describing annoying persistence, often with a nasal or complaining tone, typically used for children.
Synonyms
- Nói đi nói lại: To say over and over again.
- Lải nhải: To chatter or nag repetitively (often about trivial things).
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Cài nhài càu nhàu: A reduplicative phrase emphasizing constant, irritating complaining and nagging.
- Suốt ngày cài nhài càu nhàu không ngớt. (Grumbling and nagging all day long without end.)