Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Haughty; arrogant: Describes a person's attitude or behavior that is offensively superior, showing a disdainful pride and a lack of respect for others. It implies a swaggering or brash manner.
   • Obstructive; lying across: Describes objects placed or positioned in a careless, crosswise, or blocking manner, creating an obstacle or a messy appearance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (describing attitude):

  • Cậu ấy mới được thăng chức mà đã nghinh ngang với mọi người. (He just got promoted and is already acting arrogantly toward everyone.)
  • Thái độ nghinh ngang của hắn khiến ai cũng khó chịu. (His haughty attitude annoys everyone.)

• Adjective (describing position):

  • Mấy khúc cây nghinh ngang trên đường sau cơn bão. (Tree limbs are lying across the road after the storm.)
  • Đừng để đồ đạc nghinh ngang ở lối đi. (Don't leave things lying haphazardly across the walkway.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a strong negative connotation when describing personality, emphasizing an unlikable, brash form of pride. When describing objects, it emphasizes disorder and obstruction.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngang ngạnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate, disobedient (shares the root "ngang" implying contrary or crosswise behavior).
• Ngạo mạn (adj): Arrogant, contemptuous (a more formal synonym for the attitude).

Synonyms

• Haughty: Arrogantly superior and disdainful.
• Arrogant: Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.
• Obstructive: Causing an obstruction.
• Crosswise: Lying or extending across something.

Related Idioms

• Mặt nghinh ngang: A phrase describing a face or expression that shows arrogance and defiance.
  • Nó bước vào với bộ mặt nghinh ngang. (He walked in with a haughty, defiant face.)

adjective

1. hanghty; arrogant