Definition

Verb: - To bargain or haggle persistently, often in a petty or annoying manner, especially over a price or terms. It implies a back-and-forth negotiation where one party tries to get a better deal by repeatedly complaining or making demands.

Usage

This verb describes the act of negotiating, usually over a small amount of money or minor details, in a way that can be seen as stubborn or stingy. It is often used in commercial or informal transactional contexts.

Examples

• (He haggled with the street vendor for an hour just to reduce the price by a few thousand dong.)
• (Stop bargaining, I've given my final price.)
• (The two sides are haggling over the contract terms.)

Advanced Usage

• "kì kèo mặc cả": This is a reinforcing phrase combining two synonyms for bargaining, emphasizing persistent haggling.
  • Việc mua bán ở chợ truyền thống thường đi kèm với kì kèo mặc cả. (Shopping at traditional markets often involves hard bargaining.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mặc cả (verb): To bargain, to haggle. This is a more standard and neutral term for negotiation over price.
• Cò kè (verb): To haggle stubbornly over a very small amount. This is very close in meaning and often used interchangeably with "kì kèo," perhaps with an even stronger connotation of pettiness.

Synonyms

• Haggle: To argue or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.
• Bargain: To negotiate the terms of a transaction.
• Drive a hard bargain: To negotiate in a very determined way to get an advantage.

Notes on Meaning

The word carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the negotiation is overly persistent, petty, or annoying. It is not typically used for high-level or formal business negotiations, but rather for everyday transactions like shopping at a market.

verb

1. to argue about the price