cục cằn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Gruff; surly; rough-mannered: Describes a person who is rude, ill-tempered, and often speaks or acts in a blunt, unfriendly way.
- Coarse; uncouth: Refers to behavior or character that is lacking in grace, refinement, or politeness.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ta trông có vẻ cục cằn, nhưng thực ra rất tốt bụng. (He looks surly, but is actually very kind.)
- Tính cách cục cằn của ông ấy khiến mọi người khó chịu. (His gruff manner makes people uncomfortable.)
- Đừng có cục cằn với khách hàng như thế! (Don't be so rude to customers like that!)
Advanced Usage
- The word often implies a roughness that is inherent to a person's temperament or habitual behavior, not just a temporary mood.
Variants and Related Words
- Cộc cằn (adj): A common variant with the same meaning: gruff, brusque.
- Anh ấy trả lời một cách cộc cằn. (He answered in a brusque manner.)
Synonyms
- Gruff: Rough and throaty in manner or speech.
- Surly: Bad-tempered and unfriendly.
- Boorish: Rough and bad-mannered.
- Uncouth: Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.
Related Idioms
- Cục cằn cục sắt: An intensified idiom meaning extremely gruff, rough, or ill-tempered, comparing a person to a lump of iron.
- Ông chủ mới cục cằn cục sắt, nhân viên ai cũng sợ. (The new boss is extremely gruff; all the employees are afraid of him.)