Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Clumsy, awkward: Describes a person who often drops things, bumps into objects, or handles things in a careless, unskillful manner, leading to minor accidents or messes.
   • Bungling, lubberly: Refers to someone who lacks dexterity, grace, or carefulness in physical actions or sometimes in handling situations.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy hơi hậu đậu nên hay làm đổ cốc nước. (She is a bit clumsy so she often knocks over glasses of water.)
  • Đừng có hậu đậu mà làm rơi bình hoa quý đó. (Don't be so clumsy and drop that valuable vase.)
  • Anh ta trông thô kệch và hậu đậu. (He looks uncouth and awkward.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a tone of affectionate criticism or gentle teasing when used among friends or family, rather than harsh insult.
• It can describe not just physical clumsiness but also a general lack of finesse or tact in social situations, though this is less common.
  • Cậu ấy tốt bụng nhưng đôi khi hậu đậu trong cách cư xử. (He is kind but sometimes clumsy in his manners.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hậu đậu is primarily used as an adjective. A common related noun phrase is kẻ hậu đậu or người hậu đậu, meaning "a clumsy person."
  • Thằng bé là một kẻ hậu đậu, lúc nào cũng làm đổ vỡ đồ đạc. (The boy is a clumsy one, always breaking things.)

Synonyms

• Vụng về: Clumsy, unskillful. (This is a very close synonym, perhaps slightly more formal.)
• Lóng ngóng: Awkward, gawky. (Emphasizes awkward, uncoordinated movements.)
• Vụng: Clumsy, inept. (A shorter, more colloquial form of "vụng về".)

Antonyms

• Khéo léo: Dexterous, skillful, adept.
• Nhanh nhẹn: Nimble, agile.
• Tháo vát: Resourceful, capable (often in practical matters).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chân tay hậu đậu: Literally "clumsy hands and feet," used to emphasize physical awkwardness.
  • Nó có đôi chân tay hậu đậu, không thể nào buộc được cái nơ. (He has clumsy hands and feet, he can't even tie a bow.)
• Tính hậu đậu: A clumsy nature/character.
  • Cô ấy có tính hậu đậu bẩm sinh. (She has a naturally clumsy disposition.)

1. Awkward, lubberly