Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Insolent; impertinent: Showing a rude and disrespectful attitude, often by ignoring proper social hierarchy, age, or authority.
   • Cheeky; saucy: Behaving or speaking in a boldly disrespectful or rude manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó thật hỗn láo khi nói chuyện với giáo viên. (That child is very insolent when talking to the teacher.)
  • Anh ta đã có một cử chỉ hỗn láo. (He made an impertinent gesture.)
  • Tôi sẽ không tha thứ cho thái độ hỗn láo của cậu. (I will not forgive your cheeky attitude.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used to describe speech or behavior from a younger or lower-status person towards an elder or superior, violating social norms of respect.
• It can be used as a predicate adjective or attributively before nouns like "thái độ" (attitude), "lời nói" (words), or "đứa trẻ" (child).

Variants and Related Words

• Hỗn (adj): A shorter, more colloquial form meaning rude or insolent, but often less severe than "hỗn láo."
  • Thằng bé ngày càng hỗn. (The boy is getting increasingly rude.)

Synonyms

• Vô lễ: Ill-mannered, lacking propriety.
• Thiếu lễ độ: Lacking in courtesy or respect.
• Xấc xược: Impudent, brazenly disrespectful.

Related Idioms

• Hỗn láo mất dạy: An emphatic phrase meaning "insolent and ill-bred," used to strongly condemn disrespectful behavior.
  • Cứ hỗn láo mất dạy như thế thì không ai thích đâu. (If you keep being insolent and ill-bred like that, no one will like you.)

adj

1. insolent; impertinent