léo xéo
Definition
- Adjective:
- Shrill and incessant (of sound): Describes a high-pitched, sharp, and continuous noise that is often perceived as annoying or grating, such as the persistent crying of a child or the loud, repetitive sound of certain animals or objects.
- Nagging and irritating (of speech or behavior): Refers to speech or actions that are persistently bothersome, whiny, or complaining in a high-pitched or irritating manner.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tiếng trẻ con khóc léo xéo suốt buổi chiều. (The children's shrill crying lasted all afternoon.)
- Đừng có léo xéo bên tai tôi nữa! (Stop that nagging in my ear!)
- Tiếng máy cắt cỏ nghe thật léo xéo. (The sound of the lawnmower is really shrill and grating.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used to describe sounds or voices that are not only loud but also carry a sense of persistent, unwanted intrusion, causing annoyance to the listener.
Variants and Related Words
- Léo nhéo: A near-synonymous variant with essentially the same meaning of a shrill, nagging, or irritating sound or manner.
Synonyms
- Shrill: High-pitched and piercing.
- Strident: Loud and harsh.
- Nagging: Persistently annoying or complaining.
- Grating: Irritating or annoying to the senses.
Related Idioms
- While "léo xéo" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, its meaning is central to describing irritating auditory scenes, such as in the proverb referenced in some dictionaries: This translates to describing a commotion or noise as shrill and incessant, like a temple block summoning officials.