Definition

1. Verb:
   • To haggle persistently; to bargain in a nagging or importuning manner: "kèo cò" describes the act of negotiating over a price or terms in a way that is excessively persistent, nitpicky, or annoying, often involving prolonged pleading or quibbling over small details.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Có thích thì mua đừng kèo cò mãi. (If you like it, then buy it; don't keep haggling annoyingly.)
  • Trả tiền đi, đừng có kèo cò! (Pay up, don't haggle like that!)
  • Anh ấy có tính hay kèo cò khi mua bán. (He has a habit of being a persistent haggler when shopping.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a negative connotation, implying that the bargaining is tiresome, petty, or goes beyond reasonable negotiation.
• It can be used to describe behavior in contexts beyond shopping, such as persistently negotiating terms in an agreement or deal in a bothersome way.
  • Hai bên kèo cò mãi về điều khoản hợp đồng. (The two sides haggled persistently over the contract terms.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kèo nèo: A common variant with the same meaning.
• Mặc cả: To bargain or haggle (a more neutral term without the strong connotation of being annoying).
• Cò kè: A reversed form, sometimes used with a similar meaning of haggling over trivial amounts.

Synonyms

• Nài nỉ: To plead, to implore (focuses on the persistent asking).
• Cò kè: To haggle over every little bit (similar connotation).
• Cố chấp mặc cả: To stubbornly haggle.

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The core meaning is the act of prolonged, irritating bargaining.
• Nuance: Unlike neutral terms for bargaining ("mặc cả", "thương lượng"), "kèo cò" specifically criticizes the manner as being vexatious, stingy, or unnecessarily drawn-out.

1. (cũng nói kèo nèo) Importune
   • Có thích thì mua đừng kèo cò mãi
     If it suits you, then by it and don't importune the dealer any longer
2. (with bargaining)