Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Persistently, stubbornly, insistently: "khăng khăng" describes the manner of doing something with unwavering determination, often refusing to change one's mind or course of action despite reason, advice, or circumstances.

Usage

• "Khăng khăng" is used to modify a verb, indicating that the action is performed with obstinate insistence. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting stubbornness or an unreasonable refusal to yield.
• It typically precedes the main verb it modifies.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh ấy khăng khăng từ chối lời đề nghị giúp đỡ của chúng tôi. (He stubbornly refused our offer of help.)
  • Dù mọi người can ngăn, cô ấy vẫn khăng khăng làm theo ý mình. (Even though everyone advised against it, she insisted on doing things her own way.)
  • Trời mưa to, nhưng nó khăng khăng đòi đi chơi. (It was raining heavily, but he persistently insisted on going out to play.)

Advanced Usage

• "khăng khăng cho rằng/khẳng định rằng": to stubbornly assert/maintain that...
  • Cậu bé khăng khăng cho rằng mình đã nhìn thấy người ngoài hành tinh. (The boy stubbornly maintained that he had seen an alien.)
• "khăng khăng đòi": to persistently demand.
  • Đứa trẻ khăng khăng đòi mua món đồ chơi đó. (The child persistently demanded to buy that toy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khăng khái (adj): Having a strong, unyielding, and righteous character (often positive, related to principles).
  • Một người đàn ông khăng khái. (A man of unyielding integrity.)
• Ngoan cố (adj): Obstinate, stubborn (stronger, more negative connotation, often used for opinions or resistance).
  • Kẻ tội phạm tỏ ra rất ngoan cố. (The criminal was very obstinate.)

Synonyms

• Cố chấp (adj/v): To be obstinate, pigheaded.
• Nhất quyết (adv): Determinedly, resolutely (can be neutral or positive, less negative than "khăng khăng").
• Nài nỉ (v): To plead, to implore (focuses on persistent asking, not necessarily stubbornness).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Khăng khăng một mực: To be dead set on something; to be unwaveringly single-minded.
  • Ông ấy khăng khăng một mực không chịu bán mảnh đất. (He was dead set against selling the plot of land.)

1. Persist in
   • ốm nhưng cứ khăng khăng lên đường
     To persist in taking the road though sick