Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sticky; viscous; gluey: Describes a substance that is wet, dirty, and unpleasantly sticky or slimy to the touch, often causing a feeling of disgust. It refers to a thick, adhesive consistency.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Mũi dãi lầy nhầy. (A snotty, sticky nose.)
  • Tay lầy nhầy. (Sticky, gluey hands.)
  • Đất lầy nhầy nát như bánh đúc. (The ground was sticky and mushy like steamed rice cake.)
  • Chỗ nào cũng lầy nhầy máu. (Everywhere was sticky with blood.)

Advanced Usage

• Describing an unpleasant, persistent situation or feeling: While primarily physical, "lầy nhầy" can be used metaphorically to describe something persistently troublesome or annoyingly clingy.
  • Công việc này lầy nhầy quá, mãi không xong. (This job is so sticky/troublesome, it's never finished.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lầy (adj): Often used in compounds like "bùn lầy" (muddy, boggy), sharing the core idea of a wet, messy, and adhesive state.
• Nhầy (adj): Slimy, mucous-like. "Lầy nhầy" is a reduplicative form that intensifies the meaning of "nhầy."
• Nhầy nhụa (adj): Another reduplicative form with a very similar meaning to "lầy nhầy," emphasizing being covered in a slimy, sticky substance.

Synonyms

• Dính (adj): Sticky, adhesive. (Less negative connotation than "lầy nhầy").
• Nhớp nháp (adj): Slimy, greasy, and dirty to the touch.
• Nhớt (adj): Viscous, glutinous (often for liquids like oil or sauce).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• (Bị/ Cảm thấy) lầy nhầy: To be or feel sticky/slimy.
  • Người tôi lầy nhầy mồ hôi. (My body feels sticky with sweat.)

adj

1. sticky; viscous ; gluey