lồng cồng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Bulky, cumbersome, or unwieldy: Describes an object that is large, awkwardly shaped, and takes up a lot of space, often making it difficult to handle, carry, or store. It implies a lack of compactness.
- Protruding or sprawling: Suggests that parts of the object stick out in various directions, creating an irregular and space-consuming form.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chiếc xe đạp cũ để lồng cồng ở hành lang. (The old bicycle was left bulkily in the hallway.)
- Hàng hoá lồng cồng chiếm hết chỗ kho. (Bulky goods took up all the space in the warehouse.)
- Đừng để đồ đạc lồng cồng trên bàn làm việc. (Don't leave cluttered items on the desk.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "lồng cồng" often carries a negative connotation, criticizing the inefficient use of space or the inconvenience caused by the object's form. It is commonly used to describe luggage, furniture, machinery, or stacked items.
Variants and Related Words
- Cồng kềnh: A near-synonym also meaning bulky, cumbersome, or unwieldy. The two words are often used interchangeably.
- Tủ lạnh này quá cồng kềnh cho căn bếp nhỏ. (This refrigerator is too cumbersome for the small kitchen.)
Synonyms
- Bulky: Having large size and mass.
- Cumbersome: Difficult to handle because of size, weight, or shape.
- Unwieldy: Hard to move or manage because of its shape or size.
- Cluttered: Filled with disordered items that take up space.
Related Idioms
- While "lồng cồng" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used descriptively in phrases criticizing disorganization.
- Sắp xếp lồng cồng: to arrange in a messy, sprawling manner.
- Căn phòng được sắp xếp lồng cồng. (The room was arranged in a cluttered, messy way.)