Definition

1. Verb:
   • To grumble, to mutter in discontent: To complain in a low, indistinct voice, often expressing irritation, dissatisfaction, or resentment, typically about something minor. It implies a continuous, low-volume complaint that is not necessarily directed at anyone specific.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông ấy làu nhàu một mình về thời tiết xấu. (He grumbled to himself about the bad weather.)
  • Đừng có làu nhàu trong bụng nữa, hãy nói ra điều gì làm bạn khó chịu. (Stop muttering under your breath; say what's bothering you.)

Advanced Usage

• "lầm bầm làu nhàu": To mumble and grumble incoherently.
  • Nghe anh ta lầm bầm làu nhàu gì đó mà chẳng rõ nghĩa. (Listening to him mumble and grumble about something unclear.)

Variants and Related Words

• Làu bàu (verb): A direct synonym, also meaning to grumble or mutter discontentedly. The two words are often used interchangeably.
  • Bà cụ làu bàu khi đám trẻ chạy qua sân. (The old lady grumbled when the children ran across the yard.)

Synonyms

• Cằn nhằn (verb): To nag, to find fault persistently. (Often implies more direct criticism than "làu nhàu").
• Lẩm bẩm (verb): To mumble, to talk indistinctly to oneself. (Focuses more on the low volume than the discontent).

Related Idioms

• Làu nhàu như chó cắn ma: (To grumble as if a dog is biting a ghost) – An idiom describing incessant, nonsensical, or particularly irritable grumbling.
  • Cả ngày anh ta cứ làu nhàu như chó cắn ma về mọi thứ. (He spent the whole day grumbling incessantly about everything.)