Definition

Adverb: - Clutching tightly, holding on obstinately: Describes the action of holding onto something very tightly and persistently, refusing to let go or give it up. It implies a stubborn, possessive, or overly protective attitude. - Stubbornly, obstinately: Can also describe adhering stubbornly to an idea, opinion, or habit, refusing to change.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Cô ấy ôm khư khư con gấu bông cũ. (She clutches her old teddy bear tightly / She is clinging obstinately to her old teddy bear.)
  • Ông ấy khư khư giữ quan điểm lạc hậu của mình. (He stubbornly clings to his outdated viewpoint.)
  • Đứa trẻ khư khư giữ lấy đồ chơi, không cho ai chạm vào. (The child clutches the toy tightly, not letting anyone touch it.)

Advanced Usage

• "khư khư giữ lấy": to cling stubbornly to, to hold on tight to (both objects and abstract concepts like ideas, secrets, or traditions).

  • Anh ta khư khư giữ lấy bí mật đó suốt nhiều năm. (He clung stubbornly to that secret for many years.)

• "ôm khư khư": to hug/clutch something tightly (often implying a refusal to share or let go).

  • Nó ôm khư khư hộp quà mà bố mới tặng. (He is clutching the gift box his dad just gave him.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giữ khư khư (Verb phrase): To keep/guard something jealously or obstinately.

  • Cô ấy giữ khư khư những kỷ niệm thời thơ ấu. (She guards her childhood memories jealously.)

• Khư khư bám lấy (Verb phrase): To cling tenaciously to (a person or thing).

  • Đứa bé khư khư bám lấy chân mẹ. (The child clung tenaciously to his mother's leg.)

Synonyms

• Chặt chẽ (adv/adj): Tightly, closely (less emphasis on stubbornness).
• Nắm chặt (v): To grip tightly.
• Cố chấp (adj): Stubborn, obstinate (used more for ideas/attitudes).
• Bám riết (v): To cling persistently.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Giữ của khư khư: To guard one's possessions jealously; to be a miser.

  • Bà cụ giữ của khư khư, không chịu tiêu xài gì. (The old lady guards her possessions jealously, refusing to spend anything.)

• Khư khư một mực: To insist stubbornly on one's way; to be dead set on something.

  • Nó khư khư một mực đòi đi chơi. (He stubbornly insisted on going out.)

1. Grip, clutch
   • Ôm khư khư
     To grip something in one's arms