Definition

1. Verb:

   • To go around; to wander around aimlessly: To move or walk around repeatedly within a limited area without a clear purpose or destination.
   • To beat around the bush; to talk in circles: To speak indirectly, evasively, or at length without addressing the main point or coming to the conclusion.

2. Adjective:

   • Circular; roundabout; indirect: Describing speech, reasoning, or a path that is not direct or straightforward.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to go around):
  • Nó chỉ loanh quanh trong nhà cả ngày. (He just wandered around the house all day.)
  • Đứa bé loanh quanh tìm đồ chơi. (The child milled about looking for a toy.)
• Verb (to beat around the bush):
  • Đừng loanh quanh nữa, hãy nói thẳng điều anh muốn. (Stop beating around the bush, just say what you want.)
  • Cô ấy trả lời loanh quanh vì không biết câu trả lời. (She answered evasively because she didn't know the answer.)

Advanced Usage

• "loanh quanh loanh quẩn": This reduplicative phrase intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a frustrating, repetitive cycle with no progress or way out. It can describe physical movement or a stagnant situation.
  • Công việc mãi loanh quanh loanh quẩn chẳng đi đến đâu. (The work just goes around in circles and never gets anywhere.)

Variants and Related Words

• Quanh quẩn (v): Similar to "loanh quanh," meaning to hang around, linger, or be stuck in a place or situation.
  • Nó quanh quẩn ở bếp để xin ăn. (It lingered in the kitchen to beg for food.)

Synonyms

• To circle; to mill about; to wander (for movement).
• To prevaricate; to equivocate; to evade (for speech).
• Indirect; circuitous; meandering (as an adjective).

Related Idioms

• Loanh quanh như thằn lằn đứt đuôi: Literally "to go around like a lizard that lost its tail." It vividly describes someone moving or acting in a frantic, aimless, or confused manner.
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ta loanh quanh như thằn lằn đứt đuôi. (Upon hearing the news, he ran around like a headless chicken.)

verb

1. to go around