Definition

1. Interjection:

   • A teasing or mocking call: A word used primarily by children to mock or tease another child for doing something silly, shameful, or greedy. It is often chanted or called out directly at the person.
   • An expression of ridicule: Used to express scornful, playful ridicule, similar to saying "nah-nah" or "you're a greedy-guts" in English.

2. Verb:

   • To tease / to mock: The action of mocking or jeering at someone, typically a child, by using this interjection or similar means.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:

  • Lêu! Đi ăn dỗ của em. (Lêu! Going to eat your younger sibling's party treats [said to mock greed].)
  • "Lêu lêu!" bọn trẻ hô lên khi thấy bạn mình ngã. ("Lêu lêu!" the children chanted when they saw their friend fall.)

• Verb:

  • Nó bị các bạn lêu vì ngủ dậy muộn. (He was teased by his friends for waking up late.)
  • Đừng có lêu bạn như thế. (Don't mock your friend like that.)

Advanced Usage

• The interjection is very often reduplicated ("lêu lêu") to intensify the mocking or teasing tone. This is a common pattern in Vietnamese for playful or childish expressions.

Variants and Related Words

• Chế giễu (v): to ridicule, to mock (a more general, formal term).
• Trêu chọc (v): to tease, to poke fun at (often more playful and less scornful than "lêu").

Synonyms

• Tease: to make fun of someone playfully or unkindly.
• Mock: to tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
• Jeer: to make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice.
• Taunt: to provoke or challenge with insulting remarks.

Related Idioms

• While "lêu" itself is a core element of teasing, a related concept is "lêu lêu đồ tham ăn" (Lêu lêu, you greedy thing!), which is a common complete phrase used for mockery.