Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Insolent; impertinent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect, often in speech or behavior, especially towards someone who deserves respect.
   • Saucy; cheeky: Behaving or speaking in a disrespectful, bold, or flippant manner that crosses the boundaries of propriety.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó thật láo xược khi nói chuyện với giáo viên. (That child is truly insolent when talking to the teacher.)
  • Anh ta đã có một hành động láo xược không thể chấp nhận được. (He made an impertinent gesture that was unacceptable.)
  • Đừng có láo xược với người lớn! (Don't be cheeky with your elders!)

Advanced Usage

• The term "láo xược" often implies a combination of dishonesty ("láo") and brazen disrespect ("xược"). It describes an attitude, not a single action.
• It is commonly used to scold or reprimand someone, especially a younger person, for overt disrespect.

Variants and Related Words

• Láo (adj): Lying, untruthful; also used to mean rude or insolent in a simpler form.
  • Nó nói láo. (He is telling lies / being rude.)
• Xược (adj): Brazen, shamelessly disrespectful. (Note: Rarely used alone in modern Vietnamese; primarily found in the compound "láo xược").
• Hỗn xược (adj): A synonym for "láo xược", meaning insolent and impudent.

Synonyms

• Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
• Impertinent: Not showing proper respect; rude.
• Cheeky: Impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way (can be slightly less severe than "láo xược").
• Impudent: Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ăn nói láo xược: To speak insolently.
  • Mày mà còn ăn nói láo xược thì sẽ bị phạt. (If you keep speaking insolently, you will be punished.)
• Thái độ láo xược: An insolent attitude.
  • Cậu ấy bị đuổi học vì thái độ láo xược. (He was expelled because of his insolent attitude.)