lăng nhăng
Definition
Adjective:
- Frivolous; flighty: Describes a person, especially in romantic contexts, who is not serious, lacks commitment, or is prone to casual or unfaithful relationships.
- Nonsensical; irrelevant: Describes speech, writing, or ideas that are silly, incoherent, or lacking in seriousness and proper focus.
Adjective (extended usage):
- Inconsistent; fickle: Can describe an unstable or unreliable character or behavior that lacks steadiness and seriousness.
Usage Examples
Adjective (person):
- Anh chàng đó rất lăng nhăng, không đáng tin cậy. (That guy is very frivolous/flighty and not trustworthy.)
- Cô ả lăng nhăng yêu người này bỏ người khác. (That girl is fickle, loving one person then leaving them for another.)
Adjective (speech/ideas):
- Đừng nói những chuyện lăng nhăng. (Don't talk about nonsensical things.)
- Bài viết của anh ta toàn là ý tưởng lăng nhăng. (His writing is full of irrelevant ideas.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a strong negative moral judgment, implying criticism of someone's lack of seriousness, dignity, or faithfulness.
- It is commonly used in informal, conversational contexts rather than formal writing.
Variants and Related Words
- Lăng nhăng lăng nhẳng (adj): An intensified, more colloquial reduplicative form emphasizing extreme frivolity or incessant nonsense.
Synonyms
- Frivolous: Lacking in seriousness.
- Fickle: Changing frequently, especially in loyalties or affections.
- Nonsensical: Having no meaning or making no sense.
- Flighty: Fickle and irresponsible.
Antonyms
- Nghiêm túc: Serious, earnest.
- Chung thủy: Faithful, loyal.
- Đứng đắn: Proper, decent.
Related Idioms and Common Phrases
Tính tình lăng nhăng: An inconsistent or unreliable character.
- Tính tình nó lăng nhăng nên chẳng ai muốn hợp tác. (His character is so unreliable that no one wants to collaborate.)
Chuyện lăng nhăng: Nonsensical or trivial matters (often gossip or irrelevant talk).
- Mọi người đang bàn tán toàn chuyện lăng nhăng. (People are gossiping about nothing but trivial matters.)