Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bicker, to squabble: To engage in frequent, petty arguments or disputes, often due to jealousy, minor conflicts of interest, or trivial matters.
   • To be at odds, to clash: To be in a state of continual disagreement or conflict with someone.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Họ hục hặc nhau vì quyền lợi. (They bicker with each other over their interests.)
  • Lúc nào cũng hục hặc với nhau. (They are always at odds with each other.)
  • Hai anh em hục hặc về chuyện chia tài sản. (The two brothers squabbled over the division of property.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "hục hặc" strongly implies an ongoing, nagging, and often childish conflict. It is not used for a single, serious argument but for a pattern of repeated petty disputes.

Variants and Related Words

• Cãi cọ (v): to argue, to quarrel. This is a more general term for arguing.
• Tranh chấp (v): to dispute, to conflict. This often refers to more formal or serious conflicts, especially over rights or assets.
• Gây gổ (v): to pick a fight, to quarrel aggressively.

Synonyms

• Bicker: to argue about petty matters.
• Squabble: to engage in a noisy quarrel about a trivial matter.
• Be at loggerheads: to be in strong disagreement.
• Be at daggers drawn: to be in a state of extreme hostility.

Related Idioms

• While "hục hặc" itself is commonly used, there are no direct idiomatic phrases that incorporate it. The concept is captured by the verb itself.

1. Be at daggers drawn, be at cross purposes
   • Họ hục hặc nhau vì quyền lợi
     They are at cross purposes about their intersts, they clash in conflict of interest
   • Lúc nào cũng hục hặc với nhau
     To be always at daggers drawn