Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Excessively strict, overly stern, too rigid: Describes an attitude, rule, or behavior that is unreasonably severe, demanding, or inflexible, going beyond what is considered reasonable or necessary.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Giáo viên đó có thái độ rất ngặt ngõng với học sinh. (That teacher has a very overly stern attitude towards the students.)
  • Các quy định ở đây quá ngặt ngõng, không có chút linh hoạt nào. (The regulations here are excessively strict, with no flexibility at all.)
  • Anh ấy bị chỉ trích vì cách quản lý ngặt ngõng. (He was criticized for his overly rigid management style.)

Advanced Usage

• Implied Criticism: The word inherently carries a negative connotation, implying that the level of strictness is unreasonable, counterproductive, or harsh.
  • Sự ngặt ngõng của cha mẹ đôi khi khiến con cái trở nên sợ hãi. (The excessive strictness of parents can sometimes make their children fearful.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngặt nghèo (adj): Strict, stringent, rigorous. This word describes something that is very strict and demanding but may not necessarily carry the same negative connotation of being so as "ngặt ngõng".
  • Kỳ thi có tiêu chuẩn ngặt nghèo. (The exam has stringent standards.)
• Nghiêm ngặt (adj): Strict, severe, rigorous. A more formal synonym for strictness.
  • Luật giao thông cần được thực thi nghiêm ngặt. (Traffic laws need to be strictly enforced.)

Synonyms

• Quá khắt khe: Too harsh, too severe.
• Quá nghiêm khắc: Excessively strict.
• Cứng nhắc: Rigid, inflexible.

Related Idioms

• "Cứng như đá" (Hard as rock): An idiom describing an inflexible, unyielding attitude or person, which is similar in spirit to the rigidity implied by "ngặt ngõng".
  • Ông chủ cứng như đá, không bao giờ nghe ý kiến nhân viên. (The boss is hard as rock, never listening to employees' opinions.)

1. Strict, stern