Definition

1. Interjection:
   • A sound representing a broad, naive, or somewhat embarrassed laugh: "hề hề" is an onomatopoeic word used to represent the sound of a chuckle or a sheepish, somewhat silly grin, often to mask embarrassment or to express naive amusement.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • Nhận xét anh ta hay đến họp chậm, anh ta hề hề. (At our remark that he was always late for meetings, he just grinned sheepishly.)
  • "Hề hề, tôi quên mất!" cậu ấy nói với nụ cười ngượng ngùng. ("Hehe, I totally forgot!" he said with an embarrassed smile.)

Advanced Usage

• "cười hề hề": to chuckle sheepishly, to give a broad, naive grin.
  • Nghe xong câu chuyện, nó chỉ cười hề hề rồi bỏ đi. (After hearing the story, he just chuckled sheepishly and walked away.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hề (n): A clown, a jester. (Note: This is a separate noun, not a variant of the interjection "hề hề".)
• Hì hì (interjection): Another onomatopoeic word for a light, often mischievous or shy laugh. (Similar but can imply a different nuance of laughter.)

Synonyms

• Cười ngượng: to smile/laugh embarrassedly.
• Cười khì: to snicker, to chuckle (can sometimes imply a secretive or suppressed laugh).

Related Idioms or Phrases

• Mặt hề hề: having a broad, silly grin on one's face.
  • Cậu bé có khuôn mặt hề hề khi bị bắt gặp đang ăn vụng. (The boy had a broad, silly grin when he was caught sneaking food.)

1. Grin broadly (naively or one's embarrassment away)
   • Nhận xét anh ta hay đến họp chậm, anh ta hề hề
     At our remark that he was always late at meetings, he just grinned broadly his embarrassment away