ngang ngạnh
Definition
- Adjective:
- Stubborn / obstinate: Describes a person, especially a child, who is uncooperative, defiant, and refuses to obey or comply with instructions or advice.
- Refractory / recalcitrant: Suggests a hard-to-manage, rebellious, or insubordinate attitude, often characterized by a rigid and contrary will.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa trẻ rất ngang ngạnh, không chịu nghe lời ai. (The child is very stubborn and refuses to listen to anyone.)
- Tính nó ngang ngạnh nên khó bảo lắm. (He has a recalcitrant nature, so he's very difficult to advise.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a nuance of childish or immature defiance. It is frequently used to describe behavior rather than a permanent character trait, implying the behavior is willful and contrary.
Variants and Related Words
- Bướng bỉnh (adj): stubborn, obstinate. A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "ngang ngạnh."
- Cứng đầu (adj): hard-headed, pig-headed. Emphasizes an unwillingness to change one's mind.
- Khó bảo (adj): difficult to teach or advise.
Synonyms
- Stubborn: having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position.
- Obstinate: stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.
- Recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
Related Idioms
- While "ngang ngạnh" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, the behavior it describes is central to phrases like:
- Cứng như trâu: (Stubborn as a buffalo.) Used to describe an extremely obstinate person.