Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):

   • Annoyingly insistent; nagging: Describes a manner of speaking that is repetitive, tedious, and irritating because it repeats the same point over and over.
   • Lengthy and tiresome: Refers to speech or sound that is drawn-out in a monotonous and bothersome way.

2. Verb (Động từ):

   • To nag; to harp on: The action of talking about something persistently and annoyingly.
   • To drone on: To speak in a long, boring, and monotonous tone.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Giọng nói của bà ấy nghe thật lải nhải. (Her voice sounds so annoyingly nagging.)
  • Anh ta có kiểu than vãn lải nhải về công việc. (He has a lengthy and tiresome way of complaining about work.)

• Verb:

  • Bà cứ lải nhải mãi về chuyện cũ. (She keeps harping on about the old story.)
  • Đừng có lải nhải nữa, tôi hiểu rồi. (Stop nagging, I understand already.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói lải nhải": to drone on and on; to talk in a nagging, repetitive manner.

  • Ông ấy nói lải nhải cả tiếng đồng hồ về chính trị. (He droned on and on about politics for a whole hour.)

• "khóc lải nhải": to cry or weep in a prolonged, whining manner.

  • Đứa trẻ khóc lải nhải đòi mua đồ chơi. (The child cried insistently, demanding to buy a toy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lải rải (adj/adv): Describes a scattered, sporadic, or intermittent manner, often for sounds or actions. (Note: This is a distinct word, not a variant of "lải nhải," but it is phonetically similar and sometimes confused. "Lải rải" implies scattering, not repetitive nagging).
• Nhàm chán (adj): Boring, tedious. (A synonym for the effect of "lải nhải" speech).
• Càu nhàu (verb): To grumble, to mutter complaints. (Related in expressing annoyance, but less focused on repetition).

Synonyms

• Cằn nhằn: To grumble, to find fault repeatedly.
• Lèo nhèo: To pester, to whine persistently (often used for children or petty demands).
• Nói dai: To talk stubbornly and persistently.

Related Phrases

• Lải nhải như chích chòe (Idiom): To chatter or nag incessantly, like a magpie. Emphasizes non-stop, irritating talk.
  • Cô ấy cứ lải nhải như chích chòe về chuyện không đâu. (She keeps chattering incessantly about nothing.)

Notes on Meaning

• The word "lải nhải" strongly conveys a negative judgment. It is not neutral. It describes speech that is not only repetitive but also irritating, unwelcome, and tiresome to the listener.
• It often implies that the speaker is not being listened to or that their point has already been made and understood, yet they continue.

adj

1. annoyingly insistent