mó máy
Definition
- Verb (colloquial, often used in negative commands or warnings):
- To touch, to handle, to fiddle with: To make physical contact with something, especially in a careless, playful, or unauthorized way. It implies touching or manipulating something one shouldn't, often resulting in annoyance or potential damage.
- To meddle with, to tamper with: To interfere with something, typically an object or device, without proper knowledge, permission, or care.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đừng có mó máy vào máy tính của bố! (Don't you dare touch/fiddle with your father's computer!)
- Bọn trẻ thích mó máy mọi thứ trong nhà. (The kids like to touch/handle everything in the house.)
- Ai đã mó máy vào công tắc đèn vậy? (Who tampered with the light switch?)
Advanced Usage
- The term "mó máy" carries a strong connotation of disapproval, warning, or irritation. It is rarely used in neutral or positive contexts. It often appears in imperative sentences to scold or forbid someone.
- It can describe the initial, often tentative, action of touching or starting to manipulate something.
Variants and Related Words
- Mó (v): A more general and slightly cruder verb for "to touch" or "to poke at." "Mó máy" is an emphatic reduplication of this root.
- Nghịch (v): to play with, to fiddle with (can be less severe than "mó máy").
- Tamper (v): to interfere with (something) in a damaging or unauthorized way (close equivalent in serious contexts).
Synonyms
- Fiddle with: To keep touching or adjusting something in a restless way.
- Tamper with: To interfere with something so as to cause damage or make unauthorized alterations.
- Meddle with: To touch or handle something without necessity or permission.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Mó tay vào: To lay a hand on (something). This is a more direct and threatening synonym.
- Đừng mó tay vào đồ của tôi! (Don't lay a hand on my stuff!)