lêu
Definition
Interjection:
- A teasing or mocking call: A word used primarily by children to mock or tease another child for doing something silly, shameful, or greedy. It is often chanted or called out directly at the person.
- An expression of ridicule: Used to express scornful, playful ridicule, similar to saying "nah-nah" or "you're a greedy-guts" in English.
Verb:
- To tease / to mock: The action of mocking or jeering at someone, typically a child, by using this interjection or similar means.
Usage Examples
Interjection:
- Lêu! Đi ăn dỗ của em. (Lêu! Going to eat your younger sibling's party treats [said to mock greed].)
- "Lêu lêu!" bọn trẻ hô lên khi thấy bạn mình ngã. ("Lêu lêu!" the children chanted when they saw their friend fall.)
Verb:
- Nó bị các bạn lêu vì ngủ dậy muộn. (He was teased by his friends for waking up late.)
- Đừng có lêu bạn như thế. (Don't mock your friend like that.)
Advanced Usage
- The interjection is very often reduplicated ("lêu lêu") to intensify the mocking or teasing tone. This is a common pattern in Vietnamese for playful or childish expressions.
Variants and Related Words
- Chế giễu (v): to ridicule, to mock (a more general, formal term).
- Trêu chọc (v): to tease, to poke fun at (often more playful and less scornful than "lêu").
Synonyms
- Tease: to make fun of someone playfully or unkindly.
- Mock: to tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
- Jeer: to make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice.
- Taunt: to provoke or challenge with insulting remarks.
Related Idioms
- While "lêu" itself is a core element of teasing, a related concept is "lêu lêu đồ tham ăn" (Lêu lêu, you greedy thing!), which is a common complete phrase used for mockery.