Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Frivolous; flighty: Describes a person, especially in romantic contexts, who is not serious, lacks commitment, or is prone to casual or unfaithful relationships.
   • Nonsensical; irrelevant: Describes speech, writing, or ideas that are silly, incoherent, or lacking in seriousness and proper focus.

2. Adjective (extended usage):

   • Inconsistent; fickle: Can describe an unstable or unreliable character or behavior that lacks steadiness and seriousness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (person):

  • Anh chàng đó rất lăng nhăng, không đáng tin cậy. (That guy is very frivolous/flighty and not trustworthy.)
  • Cô ả lăng nhăng yêu người này bỏ người khác. (That girl is fickle, loving one person then leaving them for another.)

• Adjective (speech/ideas):

  • Đừng nói những chuyện lăng nhăng. (Don't talk about nonsensical things.)
  • Bài viết của anh ta toàn là ý tưởng lăng nhăng. (His writing is full of irrelevant ideas.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a strong negative moral judgment, implying criticism of someone's lack of seriousness, dignity, or faithfulness.
• It is commonly used in informal, conversational contexts rather than formal writing.

Variants and Related Words

• Lăng nhăng lăng nhẳng (adj): An intensified, more colloquial reduplicative form emphasizing extreme frivolity or incessant nonsense.

Synonyms

• Frivolous: Lacking in seriousness.
• Fickle: Changing frequently, especially in loyalties or affections.
• Nonsensical: Having no meaning or making no sense.
• Flighty: Fickle and irresponsible.

Antonyms

• Nghiêm túc: Serious, earnest.
• Chung thủy: Faithful, loyal.
• Đứng đắn: Proper, decent.

Related Idioms and Common Phrases

• Tính tình lăng nhăng: An inconsistent or unreliable character.

  • Tính tình nó lăng nhăng nên chẳng ai muốn hợp tác. (His character is so unreliable that no one wants to collaborate.)

• Chuyện lăng nhăng: Nonsensical or trivial matters (often gossip or irrelevant talk).

  • Mọi người đang bàn tán toàn chuyện lăng nhăng. (People are gossiping about nothing but trivial matters.)