ngây ngô
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Naive, innocent: Lacking worldly experience, wisdom, or sophistication; showing a simple, unaffected, and sometimes foolishly trusting nature.
- Simple-minded, dull: Showing a lack of intelligence or quickness of mind; appearing slow to understand.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô bé nhìn thế giới bằng ánh mắt ngây ngô. (The little girl looked at the world with naive eyes.)
- Anh ấy có vẻ ngây ngô trước những thủ đoạn chính trị. (He seems naive about political machinations.)
- Nụ cười ngây ngô của đứa trẻ. (The child's simple-minded smile.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a tone of endearment or pity rather than harsh criticism when describing innocence or lack of experience.
- It can describe a temporary state of confusion or bewilderment.
- Anh ta đứng ngây ngô một lúc vì không hiểu chuyện gì đang xảy ra. (He stood there bewildered for a moment because he didn't understand what was happening.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ngây ngô is the standard form. The reduplicative form ngây ngô itself is already expressive.
- Ngây thơ (adj): Innocent, naive. Often used more positively than .
- Nó còn ngây thơ lắm, chưa biết gì về chuyện đó. (He is still very innocent and knows nothing about that matter.)
Synonyms
- Naive: Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
- Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense; simple, naive.
- Simple-minded: Lacking subtlety or sophistication; foolish.
- Gullible: Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous.
Related Idioms and Expressions
- While itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used in descriptive phrases.
- Mặt mũi ngây ngô: An innocent/naive face.
- Đứa trẻ có khuôn mặt mũi ngây ngô dễ thương. (The child has a cute, naive face.)
- Dull, stupid