Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Cunning / Devious: Describes a person, action, or method characterized by sly, tricky, or deceitful cleverness, often in a negative sense.
   • Complicated / Tricky: Refers to a situation, problem, or matter that is intricate, convoluted, and difficult to understand or resolve due to its complex and often underhanded nature.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hắn ta có những thủ đoạn rất léo lắt. (He has very cunning tricks.)
  • Vụ án này có nhiều tình tiết léo lắt. (This case has many complicated/devious details.)
  • Đừng nghe những lời léo lắt của nó. (Don't listen to his devious words.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies a negative moral judgment, suggesting not just complexity but a deliberate, sneaky, or unethical complexity.

Variants and Related Words

• Lắt léo (adj): This is a direct variant with identical meaning and usage.
  • Lý lẽ lắt léo. (Devious reasoning.)

Synonyms

• Devious: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
• Cunning: Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
• Tricky: Difficult to deal with due to complexity or potential deception.

Related Idioms

• While "léo lắt" itself is commonly used as a standalone adjective, it conveys the sense inherent in idioms like "playing games" or "using underhanded methods."