làm gái
Definition
- Verb phrase (idiomatic, archaic, often humorous or pejorative):
- To act like a girl / to behave in a girlish manner: To adopt an overly demure, shy, timid, or coquettish demeanor, specifically mimicking stereotypical feminine behavior of the past. It implies an affected or exaggerated performance, typically by a male, that is seen as unnatural or amusing.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Thằng bé đó cứ làm gái mãi, không chịu ra chơi đá bóng. (That boy keeps acting all girlish, refusing to come out to play soccer.)
- Anh ấy đứng làm gái ở góc phòng suốt buổi tiệc. (He stood there acting shy and timid in the corner of the room the whole party.)
Advanced Usage & Cultural Note
- This phrase is deeply rooted in traditional gender stereotypes, contrasting expected masculine boldness with a perceived feminine reticence. It is now considered outdated and potentially offensive, as it mocks behavior that does not conform to rigid gender norms. Its use is largely confined to humorous, teasing, or critical remarks about someone's (usually a male's) perceived lack of masculinity or assertiveness.
Variants and Related Words
Làm duyên (v): to act coy or coquettish (can be used for any gender, but often for females).
- Cô ấy hay làm duyên khi có người lạ. (She often acts coy when strangers are present.)
Rụt rè (adj): timid, shy.
- Cậu bé có vẻ rụt rè. (The boy seems shy.)
Synonyms
- To act coy: To pretend shyness or modesty, especially to attract attention.
- To be demure: To be reserved, modest, and shy (though "demure" is not inherently mocking, while "làm gái" is).
- To affect femininity: To put on a show of feminine traits.
Related Idioms
- Làm bộ làm tịch: to put on airs, to affect a manner.
- Đừng làm bộ làm tịch nữa, hãy tự nhiên đi. (Stop putting on airs, just be natural.)