láu lỉnh
Definition
Adjective: - Roguish; sly; cunningly clever: Describes someone, typically a child or young person, who appears smart, quick-witted, and playfully mischievous. The word often carries a nuance of being clever in a somewhat naughty or sly way, but not necessarily with malicious intent. It implies a sharp, alert intelligence combined with a playful or impish nature.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cậu bé có đôi mắt láu lỉnh. (The boy has roguish/impish eyes.)
- Nó trả lời một cách rất láu lỉnh. (He answered in a very sly/clever way.)
- Vẻ mặt láu lỉnh của đứa trẻ khiến mọi người bật cười. (The child's roguish expression made everyone laugh.)
Advanced Usage
- The word láu lỉnh is often used to describe a look, expression, smile, or manner of speaking (). It suggests the person knows something clever or is being playfully deceptive.
- It is commonly applied to children or young people whose cleverness is evident and somewhat cheeky.
Variants and Related Words
- Láu (adj): Sly, cunning, sharp. This is the root word and is often stronger, sometimes implying more negative cunning than láu lỉnh.
- Thằng bé rất láu. (That boy is very sly/sharp.)
- Láu cá (adj): Cunning, crafty, foxy. This variant carries a more negative connotation than láu lỉnh, implying shrewdness for personal gain.
- Anh ta là một thương nhân láu cá. (He is a cunning merchant.)
Synonyms
- Tinh nghịch: Mischievous, playful. Focuses more on the playful, naughty aspect rather than the cleverness.
- Ranh mãnh: Sly, shrewd. Similar to láu cá, often with a negative connotation.
- Lém lỉnh: (Less common) Playfully sharp or witty.
Antonyms
- Thật thà: Honest, straightforward.
- Chậm hiểu: Slow to understand.
- Ngây thơ: Innocent, naive.
Related Idioms
- Láu lỉnh như sóc: (As roguish as a squirrel) A simile emphasizing quick-wittedness and playful agility.
- Khôn lỏi: This is a close concept but distinct; it means "street-smart" in a way that bends rules for advantage, often with a more negative judgment than láu lỉnh.
adj
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roguish; sly
