Definition

1. Adjective phrase:
   • Full of tricks / mischievous: Used to describe a person, especially a child, who is constantly devising playful schemes, pranks, or mischievous acts.
   • Creating unnecessary drama / making trouble: Describes someone who habitually causes complications, fuss, or petty problems through their actions or demands.

Usage Examples

• Adjective phrase:
  • Đứa bé đó lắm trò lắm. (That child is very mischievous / full of tricks.)
  • Anh ta không làm việc, chỉ lắm trò thôi. (He doesn't work, he just creates trouble.)
  • Đừng có lắm trò nữa, tập trung vào đi. (Stop making trouble/fuss and focus.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a tone of mild annoyance or exasperation towards the subject's behavior. It implies the person's actions are tiresome or disruptive.

Variants and Related Words

• Lắm chuyện (adj. phrase): Meddlesome, fond of gossiping or interfering in others' affairs. While similar, "lắm chuyện" often relates to gossip, whereas "lắm trò" relates to actions and mischief.
  • Bà hàng xóm lắm chuyện. (The neighbor is a busybody.)

Synonyms

• Mischievous: Showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way.
• Troublesome: Causing difficulty or annoyance.
• Dramatic: (In this context) Inclined to create unnecessary excitement or fuss.

Related Idioms

• While "lắm trò" itself is idiomatic, it is used in similar contexts to:
  • Bày trò: To devise a trick or a scheme.

    • Nó lại bày trò gì đây? (What trick is he devising now?)