Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Arch, mischievous, sly: Describes a person, especially a child, who is playfully clever, witty, or has a roguish charm. It implies intelligence used in a lighthearted, teasing, or slightly naughty way.
   • Wry, sardonic: Can describe a subtle, clever, and slightly mocking sense of humor or expression.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chú bé đó rất hóm. (That little boy is very mischievous/arch.)
  • Anh ấy có nụ cười hóm hỉnh. (He has a wry/sly smile.)
  • Câu trả lời của cô ấy thật hóm hỉnh. (Her answer was very witty/cleverly humorous.)

Advanced Usage

• "hóm hỉnh": This is a common reduplicative form that emphasizes the quality of being witty, humorously clever, or playfully sarcastic.
  • Bài viết của anh ấy vừa sâu sắc vừa hóm hỉnh. (His writing is both profound and witty.)
• Used to describe a glint in the eyes or a smile that suggests playful cunning or secret amusement.
  • Ánh mắt hóm của đứa trẻ. (The child's mischievous/arch look in the eyes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hóm hỉnh (adj): Witty, wry, humorously clever. (This is the most frequent compound form.)
• Láu lỉnh (adj): Sly, cunning, crafty (can be more negative than , which is more playful).
• Tinh nghịch (adj): Mischievous, playful (focuses more on playful action than clever wit).

Synonyms

• Tinh quái: Mischievously clever.
• Ranh mãnh: Sly, shrewd (often with a negative connotation).
• Khéo léo: Skillful, deft (in a general sense).

Related Idioms

• Hóm như con giun: (As sly as an earthworm) – An idiom emphasizing extreme slyness or cleverness.
  • Đừng tưởng nó nhỏ mà dễ bắt nạt, nó hóm như con giun đấy. (Don't think just because it's small it's easy to bully; it's as sly as they come.)

1. Arch, mischievous
   • Chú bé hóm
     A mischievous little boy