Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Trivial, trifling, miscellaneous: Refers to things that are of little importance, insignificant, or consisting of various small, assorted items. It describes a scattered, unorganized collection of minor matters or objects.
   • Random, nonsensical: Used to describe speech, thoughts, or actions that are incoherent, irrelevant, or lacking a clear, serious purpose.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tôi bận làm mấy việc linh tinh ở nhà. (I'm busy with some trivial chores at home.)
  • Đừng mua đồ linh tinh nữa. (Don't buy any more miscellaneous stuff.)
  • Nó cứ nói linh tinh mãi. (He just keeps talking nonsense.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used in a mildly disapproving or dismissive tone to categorize things as unimportant, distracting, or cluttered.
• It can function informally as a noun in phrases like "đồ linh tinh" (miscellaneous things/trinkets) or "chuyện linh tinh" (trivial matters).

Variants and Related Words

• Lặt vặt (adj): petty, trivial. Often used interchangeably with but can imply even smaller scale.
  • Công việc lặt vặt. (Petty tasks.)

Synonyms

• Trivial: of little value or importance.
• Miscellaneous: consisting of various types; mixed.
• Nonsensical: having no meaning; making no sense.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chuyện linh tinh: trivial matters, idle talk.
  • Đừng quan tâm đến mấy chuyện linh tinh đó. (Don't pay attention to those trivial matters.)
• Nói linh tinh: to talk nonsense, to babble.
  • Bé mới học nói nên hay nói linh tinh. (The toddler just learned to talk so he often babbles.)

adj

1. trivial, trifling