lão ngốc
Definition
- Noun:
- Old fool: A direct and often derogatory term for an elderly man perceived as foolish, stupid, or lacking sense. It combines "lão" (old man) with "ngốc" (fool, idiot).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy đúng là một lão ngốc. (He is truly an old fool.)
- Đừng nghe lời lão ngốc đó. (Don't listen to that old fool.)
- Cái lão ngốc ấy lại làm hỏng mọi việc. (That old fool messed everything up again.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is inherently informal and disrespectful. It is used to express strong contempt, frustration, or ridicule toward an older male's perceived incompetence or foolish actions.
Variants and Related Words
Ngốc (adj/n): Foolish, silly; a fool. The root word without the age specification.
- Anh ta hành động một cách ngốc nghếch. (He acted in a foolish way.)
Lão (n): A colloquial and sometimes familiar or derogatory term for an old man.
- Lão ấy sống một mình. (That old man lives alone.)
Synonyms
- Old fool: The direct equivalent.
- Dotard: An archaic or literary term for an old person, especially one who is weak or senile.
- Codger (often "old codger"): An informal, mildly derogatory term for an eccentric old man.
Related Idioms
- While "lão ngốc" itself is a fixed phrase, it can appear in various insulting or descriptive contexts about foolish behavior in old age.
- Cứng đầu như lão ngốc. (Stubborn as an old fool.)