Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Cunning; sly; crafty: Describes a person, especially a child, who is clever in a quick-witted, sharp, and often mischievous way, typically to gain a small advantage or benefit for themselves.
   • Shrewd; astute: Can describe someone who is cleverly perceptive and quick to understand situations, often with a connotation of street-smart intelligence.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa bé đó rất láu. (That child is very cunning/sly.)
  • Anh ta là một người bán hàng láu. (He is a shrewd salesman.)
  • Nó trả lời láu lỉnh. (It answered in a cheeky/smart-alecky way.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a nuanced tone. It can be slightly negative, implying trickiness or deceit for minor gains, but it can also be somewhat admiring, implying quick intelligence and resourcefulness.
• It is frequently used to describe children who are precociously clever or talkative in a cheeky manner.

Variants and Related Words

• Láu lỉnh (adj): An intensified form, meaning very sly, cheeky, or impudently clever.
  • Cô bé có ánh mắt láu lỉnh. (The little girl had a mischievously clever look in her eyes.)
• Láu cá (adj): Synonymous with cunning, crafty, or foxy.
  • Hắn có vẻ ngoài hiền lành nhưng thực ra rất láu cá. (He looks gentle but is actually very crafty.)

Synonyms

• Cunning: Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
• Sly: Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
• Shrewd: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.
• Clever: Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; often intelligent.

Related Idioms

• Láu như khỉ: As sly/cunning as a monkey. A common simile emphasizing high levels of mischievous cleverness.
  • Thằng bé ấy láu như khỉ. (That boy is as sly as a monkey.)
• Miệng láu: Describes someone who is quick with a (often cheeky or sharp) reply.
  • Đừng có mà miệng láu với người lớn! (Don't you be cheeky to your elders!)