Definition

1. Adjective / Verb (used as an adjective):
   • To be picky, choosy, or selective: The primary meaning describes a person who is excessively careful, particular, or hard to please when making a choice, often leading to difficulty in deciding or accepting options.
   • To be fastidious: It implies having very high or refined standards that are difficult to meet.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy rất kén chọn bạn trai. (She is very picky about boyfriends.)
  • Anh ấy kén chọn đồ ăn, chỉ ăn vài món. (He is choosy about food, only eating a few dishes.)
  • Nhiều tuổi nhưng chưa có vợ vì kén chọn quá. (He is not very young but still single because he is too selective.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the person's selectiveness is unreasonable or counterproductive.
• It can be used in both personal contexts (e.g., choosing partners, friends) and impersonal contexts (e.g., selecting items, candidates for a job).

Variants and Related Words

• Kén cá chọn canh (Idiom): To be extremely picky and hard to please.

  • Đừng kén cá chọn canh, không có gì là hoàn hảo cả. (Don't be so impossibly choosy; nothing is perfect.)

• Chọn lựa (v): To choose, to select. This is a more neutral term without the connotation of being excessively fussy.

Synonyms

• Picky: Inclined to be very selective and hard to please.
• Choosy: Fussy about making choices.
• Selective: Characterized by careful choice.
• Fastidious: Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail, or being hard to please.

Related Idioms

• Kén cá chọn canh: As above, this idiom intensifies the meaning of "kén chọn," painting a picture of someone who is picky about both the fish and the broth, i.e., dissatisfied with everything.
• Cao kỳ: Refined, sophisticated; sometimes used similarly to imply being choosy due to high standards.

1. như kén
   • Nhiều tuổi nhưng chưa có vợ vì kén chọn quá
     To be not very young but stil single because of one's careful selecting