Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Swaggering; having an arrogant, conceited, and insolent manner: Describes a person's attitude or posture that shows excessive self-importance, pride, and a lack of respect for others.
   • Ungracefully or disproportionately tall and lanky: Describes a physical appearance that is awkwardly tall and thin, often implying a lack of proportion or elegance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (describing attitude):

  • Lúc nào cũng ngông nghênh trông rất đáng ghét. (He is always swaggering about in a detestable manner.)
  • Cậu ấy có vẻ ngông nghênh sau khi thắng trận. (He seemed very swaggering after winning the match.)

• Adjective (describing physical appearance):

  • Cao ngông nghênh. (To be ungracefully lanky.)
  • Dáng người anh ta cao và ngông nghênh. (His figure is tall and ungracefully lanky.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used pejoratively to criticize both behavior and physical stature. It carries a strong negative connotation of being off-putting, disrespectful, or awkward.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngông (adj): Arrogant, eccentric, or deliberately unconventional in a boastful way. This is the root adjective from which is derived, often emphasizing a rebellious or showy arrogance.

Synonyms

• Swaggering: Walking or behaving in a very confident and arrogant way.
• Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
• Conceited: Excessively proud of oneself; vain.
• Lanky: Ungracefully thin and tall.

Related Idioms

• While itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the attitude it describes is central to phrases like:
  • Lên mặt ta đây: To put on airs; to act superior.

    • Thắng một trận đã bắt đầu lên mặt ta đây. (He started putting on airs after just one win.)

1. Swagger
   • Lúc nào cũng ngông nghênh trông rất đáng ghét
     To be always swaggering about in a detestable manner
2. Ungracefully (unproportionally) lanky
   • Cao ngông nghênh
     To be ungracefully (unproportionally) lanky