ma xó
Definition
- Noun:
- Household spirit / domestic ghost: A spirit or ghost believed to reside in the corner of a house, often associated with folk beliefs and superstition.
- A nosy, prying person: A colloquial and often derogatory term for someone who is excessively curious, meddlesome, or who snoops into other people's private affairs and secrets.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Đừng có làm ma xó, để người ta yên. (Don't be such a nosy parker, leave people alone.)
- Bà cụ sợ ma xó trong góc nhà cũ. (The old woman was afraid of the household spirit in the corner of the old house.)
- Anh ta là đồ ma xó, lúc nào cũng thích nghe lén chuyện người khác. (He is such a snoop, always likes to eavesdrop on other people's business.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in informal, spoken language and carries a negative connotation when referring to a person. It implies secretive, unwelcome observation or interference.
Variants and Related Words
- Tò mò (adj): Curious. This is a more general, and less negative, term for curiosity.
- Nghe lén (v): To eavesdrop. A specific action associated with being a "ma xó".
Synonyms
- Busybody: A person who meddles in the affairs of others.
- Snoop: A person who investigates, especially in a sneaky or prying way.
- Nosy parker: An informal term for an inquisitive person.
Related Idioms
- Mắt như ma xó: (Eyes like a household spirit). Used to describe someone who has very sharp, observant, or prying eyes that notice everything.
- Bà hàng xóm mắt như ma xó, chuyện gì cũng biết. (The neighbor has eyes like a hawk, she knows everything.)