Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Brazen; shameless; impudent: Describes a person who shows no shame or embarrassment, especially when facing criticism or wrongdoing.
   • Unresponsive; impervious: Describes a person who remains stubbornly unaffected by scolding, punishment, or external influence, showing no reaction.
   • Smooth and flat; worn smooth: Describes a surface that is very smooth, flat, or polished from wear.

2. Adverb (often follows a verb):

   • Motionlessly; stubbornly staying put: Describes remaining fixed in one place or state, refusing to move or change despite external factors.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Đứa bé đó thật là lì. (That child is truly brazen/shameless.)
  • Nó bị mắng nhiều nên đâm ra lì. (He was scolded so much that he became unresponsive.)
  • Mặt bàn đá nhẵn lì. (The stone tabletop is worn smooth.)

• Adverb:

  • Nó ngồi lì trong phòng cả ngày. (He sat stubbornly in his room all day.)
  • Ông ấy đứng lì một chỗ không chịu đi. (He stood motionless in one spot, refusing to leave.)

Advanced Usage

• "gan lì": This is a common compound noun meaning "nerve," "gall," or "brazenness."

  • Hắn có gan lì đến mức không biết sợ là gì. (He has such nerve that he doesn't know what fear is.)

• "lì lợm": An intensified adjective form meaning extremely stubborn, thick-skinned, or brazen.

  • Thái độ lì lợm của nó khiến mọi người bực mình. (His extremely brazen attitude annoyed everyone.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lì lì (adv): A reduplicated form emphasizing a continuous, unmoving, or unresponsive state.
  • Nó cứ ngồi lì lì nhìn ra cửa sổ. (He just sat there, motionless, staring out the window.)

Synonyms

• Brazen: Shameless and bold.
• Stubborn: Unwilling to change or move.
• Impassive: Not showing emotion or reaction.
• Smooth: Having an even, polished surface.

Related Idioms

• Lì đòn: Literally "impervious to blows," meaning hardened to punishment or criticism.

  • Thằng bé đã lì đòn, đánh nó cũng vô ích. (The boy is hardened to blows; hitting him is useless.)

• Mặt lì như đá mài: Idiom meaning "a face as smooth/smug as a whetstone," describing someone who shows no expression or shame.

  • Dù bị phê bình, anh ta vẫn giữ mặt lì như đá mài. (Even when criticized, he kept a face as impassive as a whetstone.)

adj

1. braren; brassy
   • làm lì
     to brazen
2. Motionless
   • đứng lì một chỗ
     to remain motionless