Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Mischievous; impish; cheeky: Describes a person, especially a child, who is playfully naughty, full of lively and sometimes irritating energy, and often talks back in a clever or sassy way.
   • Alive; full of life; vivacious: Describes someone who is very energetic, spirited, and animated in their behavior or expression.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất lí lắc, lúc nào cũng nghịch ngợm. (That child is very mischievous, always playing tricks.)
  • Cô ấy có ánh mắt lí lắc và nụ cười tinh nghịch. (She has a lively, impish glint in her eyes and a mischievous smile.)
  • Cô ấy hay lí lắc. (She is very much alive / very spirited.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "lí lắc" often carries a tone of affectionate annoyance. It describes behavior that is bothersome but not malicious, and is often seen as a sign of intelligence and quick-wittedness.

Variants and Related Words

• Láu lỉnh (adj): Sly, cunning, crafty. This word shares the sense of cleverness but often implies more deceit or guile than "lí lắc".
• Nghịch ngợm (adj): Mischievous, naughty. This is a more general term for playful misbehavior.

Synonyms

• Impish: Having a mischievous spirit.
• Puckish: Playfully mischievous.
• Vivacious: Attractively lively and animated.
• Saucy: Impudent, cheeky.

Related Idioms

• While "lí lắc" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the behavior it describes is central to phrases like:
  • "Khôn lỏi": Street-smart, cunning in a practical way. This is stronger and less affectionate than "lí lắc".
  • "Miệng lưỡi lanh lẹ": Having a quick, sharp tongue. This relates to the talkative, back-talking aspect of being "lí lắc".

adjective

1. alive
   • Cô ấy hay lí lắc
     She is very much alive