lây bây
Definition
Adjective:
- Dilatory / Dragging on: Describes an action, process, or situation that progresses very slowly, inefficiently, or with unnecessary delay, often due to a lack of urgency or focus.
- Lingering / Protracted: Refers to something that extends over a long, tedious period without reaching a conclusion.
Adverb:
- In a dilatory manner / In a dragging way: Used to describe how an action is performed—slowly, lengthily, and without decisive progress.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Công việc này lây bây cả tháng rồi vẫn chưa xong. (This work has been dragging on for a month and is still not finished.)
- Đừng có thái độ lây bây, phải tập trung vào. (Don't have a dilatory attitude; you must focus.)
Adverb:
- Anh ta làm việc lây bây khiến mọi người rất sốt ruột. (He works in such a dragging manner, making everyone very impatient.)
- Cuộc họp kéo dài lây bây đến tối. (The meeting dragged on lengthily until evening.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a negative connotation, implying criticism of the slowness or inefficiency. It is commonly used in spoken and informal contexts to express frustration.
Variants and Related Words
- Lây nhây (adj/adv): A near-identical synonym, also meaning dilatory, dragging, or bothersomely persistent.
- Vụ việc cứ lây nhây mãi không dứt. (The matter just keeps dragging on without end.)
Synonyms
- Protracted: Lasting for a long time, especially longer than usual.
- Dilatory: Slow to act; intended to cause delay.
- Lingering: Lasting for a long time, especially when not wanted.
Related Idioms
- Làm ăn lây bây: To work or do business in a slow, inefficient, and unproductive way.
- Cửa hàng làm ăn lây bây nên chẳng có lãi. (The shop operates in a dilatory way, so it makes no profit.)