Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly horizontal, somewhat askew: Describes something that is not perfectly straight or level, but rather a bit tilted or slanted.
   • Slightly obstinate, somewhat contrary: Describes an attitude, behavior, or speech that is a bit stubborn, unreasonable, or difficult to deal with.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bức tranh treo hơi ngang ngang một chút. (The painting is hanging a bit askew.)
  • Tính nó hơi ngang ngang, khó nói chuyện. (His personality is a bit contrary, making it hard to talk to him.)
  • Câu chuyện anh ấy kể nghe ngang ngang quá. (The story he told sounds quite unreasonable.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngang ngang khó chịu": annoyingly contrary/obstinate.

  • Thái độ ngang ngang khó chịu của anh ta khiến mọi người không muốn hợp tác. (His annoyingly contrary attitude makes people not want to cooperate.)

• "nói ngang ngang": to speak in a somewhat obstinate or unreasonable manner.

  • Đừng nói ngang ngang như thế, hãy lắng nghe ý kiến của người khác. (Don't speak so unreasonably; listen to others' opinions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngang (adj): The root word meaning "horizontal," "crosswise," or "stubborn/contrary."

  • Đường kẻ ngang (A horizontal line)
  • Tính ngang (A stubborn disposition)

• Ngang bướng (adj): Stubborn, obstinate (stronger than "ngang ngang").

  • Đứa trẻ ngang bướng (A stubborn child)

• Ngang ngạnh (adj): Very stubborn and defiant.

  • Thái độ ngang ngạnh (A defiant attitude)

Synonyms

• Bướng bỉnh: stubborn, obstinate.
• Khó chịu: unpleasant, disagreeable (in attitude).
• Chướng: contrary, offensive (in manner).

Related Idioms

• Ngang như cua: (As) stubborn as a crab. This idiom vividly describes extreme stubbornness.
  • Nó cứng đầu lắm, ngang như cua ấy. (He's very hard-headed, as stubborn as a crab.)

Notes on Usage

• "Ngang ngang" is a reduplicative form (từ láy) of "ngang". Reduplication often softens the meaning, indicating a lesser degree. Therefore, "ngang ngang" means "slightly horizontal" or "somewhat contrary," not to the extreme level of "ngang" or "ngang bướng."
• It is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese or informal contexts to describe a slight tilt or a mildly difficult attitude.
• The meaning is often understood from context, as it can describe both physical alignment and personal demeanor.

1. xem ngang (láy)