Definition

1. Verb:
   • To scold: To speak angrily or critically to someone because they have done something wrong. It implies a sharp, often loud, verbal reprimand.
   • To reprimand: To express formal or severe disapproval of someone's actions.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bị mẹ la rầy. (To be scolded by one's mother.)
  • Giáo viên la rầy học sinh vì nói chuyện trong lớp. (The teacher scolded the student for talking in class.)
  • Anh ấy thường bị sếp la rầy khi đi làm muộn. (He often gets reprimanded by his boss for being late to work.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a connotation of a sustained or nagging scolding, not just a single sharp remark. It can describe a situation where someone is being told off at length.

Variants and Related Words

• La mắng (v): A very close synonym, also meaning to scold or yell at.
  • Đừng la mắng trẻ con như vậy. (Don't scold the children like that.)

Synonyms

• Scold: To angrily criticize someone for a fault.
• Reprimand: A formal expression of disapproval.
• Berate: To scold or criticize angrily.
• Chide: To scold mildly.

Related Idioms

• La rầy om sòm: To scold noisily and vehemently.
  • Cô ấy la rầy om sòm cả xóm nghe thấy. (She scolded so loudly the whole neighborhood could hear.)

1. Scold
   • Bị mẹ la rầy
     To be scolded by one's mother