Definition

Adjective: - Peevish, petulant, irritable: Describes a person who is easily annoyed, especially over trivial matters, and who frequently expresses this annoyance in a bad-tempered or sulky way. This state is often temporary and linked to a specific cause like illness or discomfort.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Vì hay đau ốm, nên anh ta sinh ra cáu bẩn. (Because of frequent illness, he has become peevish.)
  • Đừng có cáu bẩn với tôi như thế! (Don't be so petulant with me like that!)
  • Bé con thường cáu bẩn khi buồn ngủ. (The child is often irritable when sleepy.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sinh ra cáu bẩn": to become peevish/petulant (as a resulting state).
  • Thiếu ngủ khiến cô ấy sinh ra cáu bẩn. (Lack of sleep makes her become peevish.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cáu (adj): short for "cáu bẩn"; irritable, annoyed.
  • Anh ấy đang cáu vì bị làm phiền. (He is annoyed because he was disturbed.)
• Cáu kỉnh (adj): a synonym, also meaning peevish or grumpy.
  • Tính khí cáu kỉnh (A grumpy temperament)
• Bực bội (adj): annoyed, vexed (a close synonym, often with a stronger sense of frustration).
  • Cảm thấy bực bội vì kẹt xe (To feel vexed because of a traffic jam)

Synonyms

• Gắt gỏng: irritable, snappish.
• Khó chịu: uncomfortable, displeased (a more general term for feeling unwell or annoyed).
• Nóng nảy: hot-tempered, quick to anger (implies a more volatile anger).

Notes on Meaning

• "Cáu bẩn" specifically describes a cross, sulky, or petulant mood, often seen as childish or stemming from physical discomfort (like illness or tiredness). It is less about deep-seated anger and more about being in a bad temper.
• It is commonly used to describe the temporary irritable state of children or someone who is unwell.

1. Peevish, petulant
   • vì hay đau ốm, nên anh ta sinh ra cáu bẩn
     he is peevish because of frequent illness