Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Closely and persistently following; sticking to someone in a clinging, reluctant-to-leave manner. Describes the action of following someone very closely and persistently, often in a way that is difficult to shake off, like a child who refuses to be separated from a parent.
   • Tagging along persistently. Implies a sense of being trailed by someone or something in a somewhat burdensome or incessant way.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đàn con lẵng nhẵng theo mẹ. (The children tagged along persistently behind their mother.)
  • Thằng bé lẵng nhẵng theo mẹ. (The little boy clung to his mother, refusing to leave her side.)
  • Cô ấy đi đâu, con chó cứ lẵng nhẵng theo sau. (Wherever she went, the dog would persistently follow behind.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "lẹo đẹo" is a near-synonym often used in the same context (). However, "lẵng nhẵng" can carry a stronger nuance of unwillingness to separate or let go.
• It is primarily used to describe the behavior of people or animals following a figure they are dependent on or attached to.

Variants and Related Words

• Lẽo đẽo (adj): To follow along behind someone in a dragging, persistent manner.
  • Nó cứ lẽo đẽo theo tôi suốt ngày. (He kept tagging along after me all day.)

Synonyms

• To tag along (persistently)
• To cling (to someone)
• To follow (doggedly)
• To be stuck to (someone)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• While "lẵng nhẵng" itself is descriptive, it is often used in the common phrase "lẵng nhẵng theo" (to clingingly follow).
  • Đi chợ mà đám trẻ cứ lẵng nhẵng theo thì rất mệt. (Going to the market is exhausting when the kids keep clinging to you.)