lau nhau
Definition
- Adjective:
- Roughly the same size or age (and typically small): Used to describe a group of children, animals, or things that are all of a similar, often diminutive, stature or age. It emphasizes uniformity in smallness within the group.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Một đám trẻ con lau nhau chơi trong sân. (A group of children of roughly the same size/age playing in the yard.)
- Đàn lợn lau nhau. (A litter of piglets all about the same size.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is primarily descriptive and is almost always used attributively, directly modifying the noun for the group (e.g., , ). It is not typically used predicatively (e.g., "Những đứa trẻ này là lau nhau" is uncommon).
Word Origin and Notes
- Origin: The term "lau nhau" is a colloquial expression. The core word "lau" in this context is related to the idea of being level, even, or uniform, rather than the more common verb "lau" meaning "to wipe."
Synonyms
- Of similar size: Of comparable dimensions.
- Uniformly small: All equally little.
- Much of a muchness (idiomatic, for similar small items): Very similar, with little difference.
Related Expressions
- Cỡ chừng: Approximately, about the same.
- Lũ trẻ cỡ chừng nhau. (The kids are about the same age/size.)
- Sàn sàn: An even more common synonym for "lau nhau," meaning nearly equal or uniform, often in size or age.
- Đàn gà con sàn sàn nhau. (The chicks are all about the same size.)