ngo ngoe
Definition
- Verb:
- To wriggle; to squirm: To make small, twisting, and restless movements, often of a limb or the entire body.
- To struggle to move; to make a feeble attempt to move: To try to move or act with difficulty, often due to weakness, constraint, or injury.
- (Figurative, negative connotation) To be active; to stir; to be up to something: To engage in covert, mischievous, or illicit activity.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con sâu đang ngo ngoe trên lá. (The worm is wriggling on the leaf.)
- Đứa bé ngo ngoe không chịu ngồi yên. (The child is squirming and won't sit still.)
- Bệnh nhân vừa mổ xong, đừng có ngo ngoe. (The patient just had surgery; don't try to move.)
- Bọn xấu đó lại bắt đầu ngo ngoe rồi. (Those bad guys are starting to stir again.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often describes small, continuous, and somewhat helpless or uncontrolled movements. It can imply annoyance, restlessness, or furtive activity.
Variants and Related Words
- Ngọ ngoạy (v): A more intensive or frequentative form meaning to wriggle or fidget constantly.
- Ngồi yên, đừng ngọ ngoạy! (Sit still, stop fidgeting!)
Synonyms
- Wriggle: To twist and turn with quick movements.
- Squirm: To wriggle or twist the body from discomfort or restlessness.
- Fidget: To make small movements, especially of the hands and feet, due to nervousness or impatience.
Related Idioms
- Ngo ngoe như giun: (To wriggle) like a worm. Emphasizes vigorous, twisting movement.
- Nó giãy dụa ngo ngoe như giun. (He thrashed and wriggled like a worm.)