già láo
Definition
- Adjective:
- Impudent due to old age; cheeky or disrespectful in a way attributed to an elderly person's perceived audacity. This term describes an old person who behaves with a brazen, rude, or shameless lack of respect, often leveraging their age as a shield for their impertinence.
- Wily and cunning from long experience. Suggests a shrewd, crafty, or sly nature honed over many years, not necessarily with negative intent but often implying trickiness.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông ấy thật già láo, toàn nói những lời khiếm nhã. (He is truly impudent, always saying rude things.)
- Bà cụ ấy già láo lắm, biết hết các mánh khóe ở chợ. (That old woman is very wily, she knows all the tricks at the market.)
- Đừng có già láo với người lớn! (Don't be cheeky to your elders!)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a strong negative connotation and is used critically or reproachfully. It implies that the person's advanced age makes their impudence or cunning more unacceptable or notable.
Variants and Related Words
- Láo (adj): Impudent, cheeky, shameless. This is the root adjective for rudeness, which is intensified by "già" (old).
- Già đời (adj): Experienced, veteran (often neutral or positive). Contrasts with "già láo," which adds a negative behavioral judgment.
Synonyms
- Impudent: Marked by offensive boldness.
- Cheeky: Irreverently bold; disrespectful in a casual way.
- Wily: Skilled at gaining an advantage through cunning.
- Shrewd: Having sharp powers of judgment; astute (can be less negative than "wily").
Related Idioms
- Già mà chẳng khôn: An idiom meaning "old but not wise," similar in spirit to criticizing foolish or disgraceful behavior in an elder.
- Láo toét: An intensified form of "láo," meaning extremely impudent or brazen.
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Advanced in years, stricken in years
