mè nheo
Definition
- Verb:
- To whine / to nag persistently: To complain or make requests in an annoyingly pleading, fussy, or fretful manner, often in a prolonged and irritating way.
- To pester / to badger: To bother someone with repeated, insistent, and petty demands.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đứa trẻ mè nheo đòi mua đồ chơi. (The child whined persistently to buy a toy.)
- Cô ấy cứ mè nheo mãi về chuyện đó. (She kept nagging about that matter.)
- Đừng có mè nheo mẹ nữa. (Stop pestering your mother.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often describes a specific, grating style of complaining associated with children or immature behavior, characterized by a nasal, drawn-out tone and repetitive requests.
Variants and Related Words
- Nài nỉ (v): to plead, to implore (generally more earnest and less irritating than "mè nheo").
- Càu nhàu (v): to grumble, to mutter in discontent.
Synonyms
- Whine: To complain in a feeble or petulant way.
- Nag: To annoy by constant fault-finding or demands.
- Pester: To trouble or annoy someone with frequent or persistent requests.
Related Idioms
- While "mè nheo" itself is commonly used as a standalone verb, it captures the essence of behaviors described by the English idiom "to whine and complain."