Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Perverse: Stubbornly contrary or unreasonable, often in a way that is irritating or unacceptable. It describes a person, especially a child, who deliberately behaves badly or opposes reasonable instructions.
   • Obstinate and paradoxical: Stubbornly adhering to an opinion or course of action that seems illogical or contrary to common sense.
   • Wicked and contrary: Having a malicious or nasty disposition, frequently doing or demanding things that go against normal reason or decency.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa bé ngang ngược. (The child is perverse.)
  • Thái độ ngang ngược của nó khiến mọi người bực mình. (His obstinate attitude annoyed everyone.)
  • Hắn ta có tính ngang ngược, hay đòi hỏi những điều vô lý. (He has a contrary nature, often making unreasonable demands.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a strong moral judgment and is used to criticize behavior seen as deliberately defiant, unreasonable, or morally wrong.
  • Lập luận ngang ngược đó không thể chấp nhận được. (That perverse argument is unacceptable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngang (adj): Can mean horizontal, but also implies stubbornness or contrariness in some contexts.
• Ngược (adj): Opposite, contrary, or against. Combined with "ngang," it intensifies the meaning of being unreasonable.
• Bướng bỉnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate (often less morally charged than "ngang ngược").
• Cố chấp (adj): Obstinate, dogmatic.

Synonyms

• Perverse
• Contrary
• Obstinate
• Wayward
• Intractable

Related Idioms

• Ngang như cua: As stubborn/contrary as a crab (to describe extreme stubbornness).
  • Thằng bé ngang như cua, bảo gì cũng không nghe. (The boy is as stubborn as a crab, he doesn't listen to anything.)

1. Perverse
   • Đứa bé ngang ngược
     A perverse child