Definition

1. Verb:
   • To twist one's face (as if about to cry): To contort the facial features, especially the mouth, in a manner that shows one is on the verge of tears or is trying not to cry. It describes the specific facial expression preceding crying.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đứa bé bắt đầu mếu khi bị mẹ mắng. (The child began to twist its face when scolded by its mother.)
  • Đừng có mếu nữa, không có gì đáng sợ cả. (Stop making that face, there's nothing to be afraid of.)
  • Nó chỉ nhìn tôi với vẻ mặt mếu máo. (He just looked at me with a face about to cry.)

Advanced Usage

• "mếu máo": This is a common reduplicative form that emphasizes the act of making a crying face, often with a whining or complaining tone.
  • Nó mếu máo kể chuyện bị bạn bắt nạt. (He whined with a pout about being bullied.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mếu máo (v): to pout, to make a face as if about to cry, often while complaining.

Synonyms

• To pout: To push out the lips, especially to show annoyance or in preparation to cry.
• To grimace: To make a twisted expression on the face, often of pain or disgust, which can be similar in appearance.
• To make a face (as if to cry): A descriptive phrase for the same action.

Related Idioms

• Mếu như mếu (or mếu máo): Used to emphasize the state of being on the brink of tears. It is not a standalone idiom but an intensified descriptive phrase.
  • Thằng bé đứng mếu như mếu giữa sân. (The boy stood in the yard, looking like he was about to burst into tears.)

verb

1. to twist the face