Definition

Verb: - To complicate matters (by doing something unnecessary or ostentatious): The word describes the action of making a situation more complex, troublesome, or inconvenient by adding unnecessary actions, formalities, or displays, often to show off or out of misplaced enthusiasm. It implies creating fuss or bother where none is needed.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhà đang bận thôi đừng giở giói làm gì. (The family is busy enough, so don't complicate matters.)
  • Công việc đã xong xuôi, anh đừng giở giói thêm nữa. (The work is already finished; please don't complicate things further.)
  • Trong lúc nhà có tang không nên giở giói làm gì. (During a family mourning period, one should not complicate matters with unnecessary activities.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a negative connotation of criticism towards someone who is being unnecessarily fussy, showy, or meddlesome, thereby creating problems or inconveniences for others.
• It is typically used in informal contexts to advise against or criticize superfluous actions.

Variants and Related Words

• Giở (verb): To open, to unfold, to start (an action). In this compound, it contributes the sense of "bringing out" or "initiating" an action.
• Giở trò (verb phrase): To play tricks, to act up. Shares the sense of initiating troublesome or unnecessary behavior.
• Bày vẽ (verb): To arrange or do things in an unnecessarily elaborate or complicated way. A close synonym in meaning.

Synonyms

• Làm phức tạp hóa: To complicate.
• Bày vẽ lôi thôi: To do things in a fussy, troublesome, and unnecessary manner.
• Rườm rà: To be overly elaborate or verbose.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Giở giói giở giang: An extended, more emphatic form of giở giói, emphasizing the act of creating unnecessary complications or a big fuss.
  • Mọi thứ đơn giản là được, đừng giở giói giở giang. (Keeping things simple is best; don't create a big fuss.)

1. Complicate matters (by doing something not absolutely necessary)
   • Nhà đang bận thôi đừng giở giói làm gì
     The family is busy enough, so don't complicate matters (by inviting me to dinner...)