Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Naive, innocent: Lacking worldly experience, wisdom, or sophistication; showing a simple, unaffected, and sometimes foolishly trusting nature.
   • Simple-minded, dull: Showing a lack of intelligence or quickness of mind; appearing slow to understand.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô bé nhìn thế giới bằng ánh mắt ngây ngô. (The little girl looked at the world with naive eyes.)
  • Anh ấy có vẻ ngây ngô trước những thủ đoạn chính trị. (He seems naive about political machinations.)
  • Nụ cười ngây ngô của đứa trẻ. (The child's simple-minded smile.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a tone of endearment or pity rather than harsh criticism when describing innocence or lack of experience.
• It can describe a temporary state of confusion or bewilderment.
  • Anh ta đứng ngây ngô một lúc vì không hiểu chuyện gì đang xảy ra. (He stood there bewildered for a moment because he didn't understand what was happening.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngây ngô is the standard form. The reduplicative form ngây ngô itself is already expressive.
• Ngây thơ (adj): Innocent, naive. Often used more positively than .
  • Nó còn ngây thơ lắm, chưa biết gì về chuyện đó. (He is still very innocent and knows nothing about that matter.)

Synonyms

• Naive: Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
• Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense; simple, naive.
• Simple-minded: Lacking subtlety or sophistication; foolish.
• Gullible: Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• While itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used in descriptive phrases.
• Mặt mũi ngây ngô: An innocent/naive face.
  • Đứa trẻ có khuôn mặt mũi ngây ngô dễ thương. (The child has a cute, naive face.)

1. Dull, stupid