lắm mồm
Definition
- Adjective (informal, often derogatory):
- Talkative, garrulous, having a big mouth: Describes a person who speaks excessively, often without thinking, or who talks out of turn. It implies annoyance at the speaker's volubility or indiscretion.
- Sassy, lippy: Can describe someone, especially a child or subordinate, who speaks back disrespectfully or with impertinence.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa bé đó lắm mồm quá, nói không ngừng. (That child is so talkative; they speak non-stop.)
- Đừng có lắm mồm với người lớn như vậy! (Don't be so lippy/sassy with your elders like that!)
- Cô ấy hơi lắm mồm nên đôi khi tiết lộ bí mật. (She is a bit garrulous, so she sometimes reveals secrets.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost always used in a critical or disapproving context. It is not a neutral descriptor like "talkative" can be in English.
- It often carries a connotation of the speech being unnecessary, irritating, or disrespectful.
Variants and Related Words
- Lắm lời (adj): Similar meaning of being overly talkative or verbose. Can sometimes sound slightly more formal or literary than "lắm mồm."
- Nhiều chuyện (adj): Meddlesome, gossipy; someone who interferes and talks about others' affairs.
Synonyms
- Garrulous: Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
- Loquacious: Tending to talk a great deal.
- Chatty: Informal synonym for talkative, but less derogatory.
- Verbose: Using more words than needed (more formal).
- Sassy: Rude and disrespectful in a lively, confident way.
Related Idioms
- Lắm mồm lắm miệng: An intensified form of "lắm mồm," emphasizing even more excessive or troublesome talkativeness.
- Nó mà lắm mồm lắm miệng thì sẽ gặp rắc rối. (If he's so big-mouthed, he'll get into trouble.)