cự nự
Definition
- Verb:
- To argue back / to talk back: To respond to a reprimand, order, or criticism with defiant or contradictory words, often in a petty or stubborn manner.
- To bicker / to squabble: To engage in a minor, persistent argument, often over trivial matters.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đứa trẻ hay cự nự khi bị mẹ mắng. (The child often talks back when scolded by his mother.)
- Hai người bạn cự nự với nhau về chuyện rất nhỏ. (The two friends bickered with each other over a very small matter.)
- Đừng có cự nự khi sếp đã ra lệnh. (Don't argue back when the boss has given an order.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a tone of annoyance and is used to describe a somewhat disrespectful or uncooperative reaction, especially from a subordinate (like a child or employee) to a superior.
Variants and Related Words
- Cãi lại (v): to argue back, to contradict. This is a more general and common synonym.
- Cậu bé không được cãi lại người lớn. (The boy must not talk back to adults.)
Synonyms
- To retort: to answer back sharply or wittily.
- To be contentious: tending to argue or dispute.
- To be recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude.
Related Idioms
- While "cự nự" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the behavior is often described in phrases like:
- Cãi bướng cãi cùn: to argue stubbornly and unreasonably.
- Nó chỉ biết cãi bướng cãi cùn chứ không nghe lời. (He only knows how to argue stubbornly and doesn't listen.)