Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Impertinent, impudent, cheeky, saucy: Describes speech or behavior that is disrespectful, rude, or shows a lack of proper manners, especially from a younger or subordinate person towards an elder or superior.
   • Insolent: Conveys a bold disrespect that is often offensive.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó thật hỗn hào với ông bà của nó. (That child is very impudent towards his grandparents.)
  • Anh ta đã có lời nói hỗn hào với cấp trên. (He made an impertinent remark to his superior.)
  • Đừng có hỗn hào thế! (None of that cheek of yours! / Don't be so saucy!)

Advanced Usage

• "ăn nói hỗn hào": to speak impudently; to use insolent language.
  • Nó ăn nói hỗn hào với thầy giáo nên bị phạt. (He spoke impudently to the teacher, so he was punished.)
• Often used to describe the attitude or tone of a child, student, or subordinate who oversteps boundaries of respect.

Variants and Related Words

• Hỗn (adj): A shorter, more colloquial form meaning rude, impudent. It can be used similarly but is often stronger or more blunt.
  • Thằng bé này hỗn quá! (This boy is so rude!)
• Láo xược / Láo (adj): Synonyms meaning impudent, insolent, brazen. These are very close in meaning but can sometimes imply even more audacity.
  • Đồ láo xược! (You insolent person!)
• Xấc xược (adj): Another synonym meaning insolent, saucy.

Synonyms

• Impertinent: Not showing proper respect; rude.
• Impudent: Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent.
• Cheeky: Impudent, especially in an amusing or endearing way (can be slightly less severe).
• Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
• Saucy: Impudent, often in a lively or spirited way.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Hỗn hào hỗn xược": A reinforcing phrase emphasizing extreme impudence and rudeness.
  • Nó không chỉ hỗn hào mà còn hỗn xược nữa. (He is not just impudent but downright insolent.)
• The word is inherently negative and is typically used in reprimands or critical descriptions of behavior.

1. Impertinent, saucy impudent, cheeky
   • Đừng có hỗ hào thế!
     None of that cheek of yours!