Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Having a sharp, argumentative, or overly talkative mouth; being a loudmouth; being lippy/sassy (in a negative way). Used to describe a person, especially a child or someone perceived as disrespectful, who talks back, argues persistently, or speaks in a rude, know-it-all manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó già họng quá, nói chuyện với người lớn mà không biết điều. (That child is such a loudmouth/is so lippy, talking to adults without any respect.)
  • Đừng có già họng với tôi! (Don't you talk back to me! / Don't be sassy with me!)
  • Nó nổi tiếng là già họng, hay cãi lại thầy cô. (He is known for being argumentative/a loudmouth, often talking back to teachers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is informal and carries a strong negative connotation. It implies annoyance, disrespect, and a lack of propriety, especially towards elders or authority figures.
• It often describes a behavioral trait rather than a single instance. Calling someone "già họng" suggests they are habitually rude or argumentative in speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Già mồm (adj): This is a direct synonym with identical meaning and usage. ("Mồm" is a more colloquial/northern Vietnamese word for "mouth" compared to the more standard "miệng").
• Hỗn xược (adj): Insolent, impudent. A stronger, more formal term for rude and disrespectful behavior.
• Cãi bướng (v): To argue stubbornly, to talk back obstinately.

Synonyms

• Argumentative: thích tranh cãi.
• Sassy/Lippy (informal): hỗn, láo.
• Mouthy (informal): hay cãi, nhiều lời.
• Disrespectful: thiếu tôn trọng.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Cứng họng / Cứng mồm: To be stubborn in argument, to refuse to back down in a dispute. This is similar but emphasizes stubborn defiance rather than just being talkative or rude.
  • Nó cứng họng cãi đến cùng dù biết mình sai. (He stubbornly argued to the end even though he knew he was wrong.)

1. như già mồm