Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Petty, nitpicky, overly concerned with trivial details: Describes a person's character or disposition as being focused on insignificant, minor matters, often in a way that is annoying or shows a lack of generosity.
   • Mean-spirited (in disposition): Can imply a certain small-mindedness or meanness in one's attitude.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy có tính lủn mủn, hay để ý từng lỗi nhỏ của người khác. (He has a petty disposition, often noticing every small mistake of others.)
  • Đừng lủn mủn về chuyện tiền nong nhỏ nhặt như vậy. (Don't be nitpicky about such trivial money matters.)
  • Cô ấy không thích những người có tính cách lủn mủn. (She doesn't like people with a mean-spirited character.)

Advanced Usage

• "tính lủn mủn": a petty/nitpicky disposition.
  • Tính lủn mủn của ông chủ khiến nhân viên rất khó chịu. (The boss's nitpicky disposition makes the employees very uncomfortable.)
• "chuyện lủn mủn": petty/trivial matters.
  • Chúng ta nên bỏ qua những chuyện lủn mủn và tập trung vào vấn đề chính. (We should ignore petty matters and focus on the main issue.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lủn (adj, informal): Often used similarly to imply something is small, short, or insignificant. Can be part of the reduplicative form "lủn mủn".
• Nhỏ nhen (adj): Petty, small-minded. A close synonym often used in the same contexts.
• Tỉ mỉ (adj): Meticulous, detailed. This can be a positive trait, unlike "lủn mủn" which is negative.
• Vụn vặt (adj): Trivial, fragmentary. Describes things, not directly a character trait.

Synonyms

• Nhỏ mọn: Petty, trivial.
• Hay chấp nhặt: Prone to nitpicking or taking offense over small things.
• Tatillon (French loan concept): Nitpicky, fussy.

Notes on Meaning

• "Lủn mủn" is a reduplicative word, a common feature in Vietnamese, which often intensifies or specifies the meaning of the root (here, "lủn").
• The word carries a distinctly negative connotation, criticizing a person's character for being overly concerned with minor issues, often leading to unnecessary conflict or a lack of magnanimity.
• It is more about attitude and behavior (disposition) than about physical size.

1. Mean
   • Tính lủn mủn
     To be mean in disposion
   • Không để ý đến những cái lủn mủn
     not to pay attention to mean things (trifles)