Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Leaning, tilting, or unsteady: Describes an object that is not upright or vertical, often appearing as if it might fall over. It implies a state of being off-balance or unstable.
   • Vacillating, wavering, or oscillating: Describes a person, opinion, or stance that is not firm or decisive, tending to swing between different sides or ideas, often influenced by external pressure.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical):

  • Sau trận bão, nhiều cây cối trong vườn nghiêng ngả. (After the storm, many trees in the garden were leaning precariously.)
  • Ngôi nhà cũ ấy trông nghiêng ngả sắp đổ. (That old house looks unsteady and about to collapse.)

• Adjective (Figurative):

  • Anh ta là người hay nghiêng ngả, không có lập trường vững vàng. (He is a vacillating person, without a firm stance.)
  • Thái độ của họ nghiêng ngả giữa hai phương án. (Their attitude wavered between the two options.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used to criticize a lack of principle or steadfastness, especially in moral or political contexts.
  • Trong cuộc bỏ phiếu, một số đại biểu tỏ ra nghiêng ngả. (During the vote, some delegates appeared to be swaying.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nghiêng (v/adj): To lean, to tilt; inclined. Focuses more on the angle or the act of tilting.

  • Cột điện nghiêng về một phía. (The utility pole is leaning to one side.)

• Ngả (v): To lean, to recline; to fall (in some contexts). Often used in combination with "nghiêng" for emphasis.

  • Anh ấy ngả lưng trên ghế. (He reclined on the chair.)

Synonyms

• Unsteady, precarious (for physical objects).
• Vacillating, indecisive, wavering, oscillating (for opinions or people).

Related Idioms

• Nghiêng ngả, mạnh đâu theo đấy: To vacillate and follow the stronger side. This idiom explicitly describes the behavior of someone who lacks conviction and simply goes along with the perceived winning or more powerful side.
  • Hắn ta chẳng có chính kiến, chỉ biết nghiêng ngả, mạnh đâu theo đấy. (He has no opinion of his own, he just vacillates and follows the stronger side.)

1. Veer, osscillate
   • Nghiêng ngả mạnh đâu theo đấy
     To oscillate and follow the stronger side