Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Clumsy, awkward, or inept: Describes a person who appears foolish, unskilled, or bumbling, often due to a lack of awareness or competence. It implies a state of being out of place or not knowing how to handle a situation properly.
   • Meddlesome or interfering in a clumsy way: Describes the action of unnecessarily involving oneself in matters where one is not wanted or competent, resulting in awkwardness or trouble.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nó cứ lớ rớ ở trong bếp, chẳng giúp được gì cả. (He just hangs around clumsily in the kitchen, not helping at all.)
  • Đừng có lớ rớ vào chuyện của người ta. (Don't meddle clumsily in other people's business.)
  • Cái bộ dạng lớ rớ của nó làm mọi người bực mình. (His awkward, inept manner annoys everyone.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a tone of irritation or contempt towards the person being described. It is used to criticize someone for being a nuisance due to their incompetence or inappropriate presence.

Variants and Related Words

• Lơ ngơ (adj): Dawdling, spaced out, or inattentive. While similar, "lơ ngơ" focuses more on a lack of attention or awareness, whereas "lớ rớ" emphasizes clumsy interference or ineptitude.
  • Nó đứng lơ ngơ giữa đường. (He stood dawdling in the middle of the road.)

Synonyms

• Awkward: Lacking skill or grace.
• Inept: Having or showing no skill; clumsy.
• Meddlesome: Interfering in a bothersome way.
• Bumbling: Acting in a confused or inept way.

Related Idioms

• Lớ rớ chân tay: To be all thumbs; to be very clumsy with one's hands.
  • Làm việc này cần khéo léo, đừng lớ rớ chân tay vào. (This work requires skill, don't go bumbling into it.)