Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unruly and perverse; obstinately defiant and unreasonable: Describes a person's attitude or behavior that is stubbornly contrary, defiant, and difficult to manage, often showing a reckless disregard for rules or reason.
   • Recklessly stubborn; insensibly headstrong: Refers to acting with foolish and reckless stubbornness, often without considering the consequences.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thằng bé đó rất ngang ngổ, chẳng chịu nghe lời ai. (That boy is very unruly and perverse, he doesn't listen to anyone.)
  • Anh ta có tính ngang ngổ, luôn làm ngược lại những lời khuyên. (He has a recklessly stubborn nature, always doing the opposite of any advice.)
  • Đừng có ngang ngổ với cấp trên như thế! (Don't be so defiant and unreasonable with your superiors like that!)

Advanced Usage

• "ngang ngổ bướng bỉnh": An intensified phrase meaning "stubbornly and perversely defiant."

  • Nó ngang ngổ bướng bỉnh, nhất quyết không chịu nhận lỗi. (He is stubbornly and perversely defiant, absolutely refusing to admit his mistake.)

• "thái độ ngang ngổ": Describes a "defiant and unruly attitude."

  • Cô ấy không chấp nhận thái độ ngang ngổ của nhân viên đó. (She does not accept that employee's defiant and unruly attitude.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngang (adj): Stubborn, contrary, or sideways (in a literal sense). While "ngang" can mean stubborn, "ngang ngổ" intensifies this with a sense of reckless defiance.
• Ngổ ngáo (adj): A very close synonym, also meaning unruly, insolent, or defiant. The nuance can sometimes be slightly more aggressive or crude than "ngang ngổ."
• Bướng bỉnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate. This is a more general term for stubbornness without the strong connotation of reckless defiance present in "ngang ngổ."

Synonyms

• Cứng đầu cứng cổ: (Idiomatic) Hard-headed and stiff-necked; extremely stubborn.
• Ngỗ ngược: Unruly, rebellious, disobedient (often used for children or subordinates).
• Lì lợm: Stubbornly persistent, unyielding.

Related Phrases

• Tính ngang ngổ: A "perverse and unruly character."

  • Mẹ cô ấy rất lo lắng về tính ngang ngổ của con trai. (Her mother is very worried about her son's perverse and unruly character.)

• Hành động ngang ngổ: An "unruly and defiant action."

  • Những hành động ngang ngổ của hắn cuối cùng đã dẫn đến hậu quả nghiêm trọng. (His unruly and defiant actions finally led to serious consequences.)

Related Idioms

• Ngang như cua: (Lit. "Stubborn as a crab") An idiom describing someone who is extremely stubborn and contrary, always going sideways. This shares the core idea of contrariness with "ngang ngổ."
  • Nói mãi mà nó chẳng nghe, đúng là ngang như cua. (I've told him repeatedly but he won't listen, he's truly stubborn as a crab.)

1. Unruly and perverse