lây dây
Definition
Adjective:
- Unfinished / Incomplete / Dragging on: Describes a task, project, or situation that is left incomplete, unresolved, or is progressing slowly and inefficiently without a clear end.
- Messy / Tangled / Complicated: Can describe a state of affairs that is disorderly, convoluted, or entangled, often leading to confusion or inefficiency.
Adverb:
- In a prolonged and unresolved manner: Used to describe an action that is carried out in a drawn-out, indecisive, or unfinished way.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Công việc này còn lây dây mãi chưa xong. (This job remains unfinished for so long.)
- Mối quan hệ lây dây của họ khiến mọi người mệt mỏi. (Their messy/complicated relationship tires everyone out.)
- Adverb:
- Họ giải quyết vấn đề một cách lây dây. (They solved the problem in a dragging, unresolved manner.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a negative connotation, implying frustration with the lack of progress, clarity, or conclusion.
- It is frequently used to criticize inefficient processes or stagnant situations.
Variants and Related Words
- Dây dưa (adj/verb): To procrastinate; to leave something unresolved; lingering. This is a very close synonym.
- Đừng dây dưa công việc nữa. (Don't procrastinate on the work anymore.)
Synonyms
- Unresolved: Not settled or concluded.
- Incomplete: Not finished.
- Lingering: Lasting for a long time, often unwillingly.
- Protracted: Lasting for a long time or longer than expected.
- Convoluted: Extremely complex and difficult to follow.
Related Idioms
- Làm ăn lây dây: To do business in a slow, inefficient, or unproductive manner.
- Cửa hàng làm ăn lây dây nên sắp phải đóng cửa. (The shop operates in a dragging manner so it's about to close.)
- Chuyện lây dây: A long-drawn-out, complicated story or affair.
- Đó là cả một chuyện lây dây khó nói. (That's a whole long, complicated story that's hard to tell.)