Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Naive; childishly innocent: Describes a state of being simple, innocent, and lacking in worldly knowledge or experience, often like a young child.
   • Foolish; senseless: Describes a state of being foolish, vacant, or mentally dull, often due to shock, surprise, or a lack of understanding.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ánh mắt ngây dại của đứa trẻ. (The child's naive gaze.)
  • Nó đứng nhìn với vẻ mặt ngây dại. (He stood looking with a foolish/vacant expression.)
  • Xin tha thứ cho nó, nó còn ngây dại. (Please forgive him; he is still naive/childish.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a tone of pity or gentle criticism, describing someone who is not just innocent but also unaware or lacking in judgment.
• It can be used to describe a temporary state of stunned or blank confusion, as if one's senses are dulled.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngây ngô (adj): Simple, innocent, artless. Often interchangeable with but may imply a more endearing, less foolish simplicity.
• Dại dột (adj): Foolish, imprudent. Emphasizes a lack of smart judgment leading to potential harm.
• Giả ngây giả dại (idiomatic phrase): To play the fool; to feign ignorance or innocence.

Synonyms

• Naive: Lacking experience, wisdom, or judgment.
• Childish: Of, like, or appropriate to a child.
• Vacant: Showing no intelligence or interest; empty.
• Simple-minded: Lacking subtlety or sophistication.

Related Idioms

• Giả ngây giả dại: To pretend to be naive or foolish.
  • Anh ta cứ giả ngây giả dại để trốn trách nhiệm. (He just plays the fool to avoid responsibility.)

1. naive