lắm trò
Definition
- Adjective phrase:
- Full of tricks / mischievous: Used to describe a person, especially a child, who is constantly devising playful schemes, pranks, or mischievous acts.
- Creating unnecessary drama / making trouble: Describes someone who habitually causes complications, fuss, or petty problems through their actions or demands.
Usage Examples
- Adjective phrase:
- Đứa bé đó lắm trò lắm. (That child is very mischievous / full of tricks.)
- Anh ta không làm việc, chỉ lắm trò thôi. (He doesn't work, he just creates trouble.)
- Đừng có lắm trò nữa, tập trung vào đi. (Stop making trouble/fuss and focus.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a tone of mild annoyance or exasperation towards the subject's behavior. It implies the person's actions are tiresome or disruptive.
Variants and Related Words
- Lắm chuyện (adj. phrase): Meddlesome, fond of gossiping or interfering in others' affairs. While similar, "lắm chuyện" often relates to gossip, whereas "lắm trò" relates to actions and mischief.
- Bà hàng xóm lắm chuyện. (The neighbor is a busybody.)
Synonyms
- Mischievous: Showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way.
- Troublesome: Causing difficulty or annoyance.
- Dramatic: (In this context) Inclined to create unnecessary excitement or fuss.
Related Idioms
- While "lắm trò" itself is idiomatic, it is used in similar contexts to:
- Bày trò: To devise a trick or a scheme.
- Nó lại bày trò gì đây? (What trick is he devising now?)