cứng nhẳng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Astringent, tart, or unpleasantly sharp in taste: Describes a flavor that is harshly sour or bitter, often causing a dry or puckering sensation in the mouth, typically from unripe fruit or certain raw foods.
- Stubbornly rigid or obstinate: Describes a person's attitude or behavior that is inflexible, unyielding, and difficult to persuade.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Taste):
- Quả xoài này còn xanh nên ăn cứng nhẳng. (This mango is still green, so it tastes astringent.)
- Vị của trái hồng giòn hơi cứng nhẳng. (The taste of the crisp persimmon is slightly tart.)
- Adjective (Attitude):
- Anh ấy có tính cứng nhẳng, không chịu nghe ai. (He has a stubborn character and won't listen to anyone.)
- Đừng có cứng nhẳng như thế, hãy linh hoạt một chút. (Don't be so obstinate; be a little more flexible.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to describe both physical taste and abstract character, creating a vivid metaphorical link between an unpleasant flavor and an inflexible personality.
Variants and Related Words
- Cứng (adj): Hard, stiff, rigid. The root word conveying firmness or lack of softness.
- Nhẳng: A component that intensifies the quality of "cứng," emphasizing an unpleasant or excessive rigidity.
Synonyms
- For taste: Astringent, tart, sharp, bitter, puckery.
- For attitude: Stubborn, obstinate, rigid, inflexible, unyielding.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Cứng đầu cứng cổ: An idiom meaning extremely stubborn or pig-headed, even stronger than "cứng nhẳng."
- Thằng bé cứng đầu cứng cổ không chịu nghe lời. (That boy is pig-headed and refuses to listen.)