Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Tedious and protracted; dragging on: Describes a situation, task, or matter that is annoyingly long, drawn-out, and difficult to conclude or resolve.
   • Messy and bothersome; sticky (figuratively): Refers to something that is troublesome, complicated, or clingy in an irritating way, like a minor but persistent nuisance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Công việc này lây nhây quá, không biết bao giờ mới xong. (This job is so tedious and drawn-out; I don't know when it will be finished.)
  • Vụ tranh chấp nhỏ ấy cứ lây nhây mãi. (That minor dispute just keeps dragging on and on.)
  • Đừng có lây nhây với tôi nữa! (Stop being so bothersome/clingy with me!)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a tone of irritation or complaint about the persistent, unresolved nature of a trivial or annoying matter.

Variants and Related Words

• Lây bây (adj): A variant with the same meaning: tedious, protracted, bothersome.
  • Chuyện lây bây ấy đừng nhắc đến nữa. (Don't mention that tedious matter anymore.)

Synonyms

• Protracted: Lasting for a long time, especially longer than usual or necessary.
• Tedious: Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
• Bothersome: Causing annoyance or trouble.
• Clingy: Excessively dependent on or attached to someone (in interpersonal contexts).

Related Idioms

• While no direct idioms use "lây nhây," the concept is similar to the English expressions "to drag on" or "a sticky situation."
  • Công việc cứ lây nhây như keo. (The work keeps dragging on like glue.)