ngỏn ngoẻn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Grinning broadly with an open, natural, and cheerful smile: Describes a facial expression where someone is smiling widely, often with their mouth open, in a way that appears completely spontaneous, happy, and unforced. It emphasizes the naturalness and openness of the smile.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Thằng bé cười ngỏn ngoẻn khi được tặng quà. (The little boy grinned broadly when he was given a gift.)
- Cô ấy đứng ngỏn ngoẻn chào mọi người. (She stood there with a wide, cheerful smile, greeting everyone.)
- Nghe tin vui, anh ấy cười ngỏn ngoẻn cả ngày. (Hearing the good news, he spent the whole day with a beaming smile.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is primarily used as an adverb following the verb "cười" (to smile/laugh) to vividly describe the manner of the smile. It can also follow other verbs like "đứng" (to stand) or "nhìn" (to look) to depict someone being in a state of cheerful, open-mouthed smiling.
Variants and Related Words
- Tươi cười (v/phr): to smile cheerfully. (Less specific than "ngỏn ngoẻn," not emphasizing the open mouth.)
- Cười toe toét (v/phr): to grin widely, often in a silly or goofy manner. (Can have a slightly more childish or less refined connotation than "ngỏn ngoẻn.")
Synonyms
- Beaming: smiling radiantly.
- Grinning broadly: smiling widely with the teeth showing.
- All smiles: visibly and happily smiling.
Related Idioms
- While "ngỏn ngoẻn" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is the quintessential word to describe the state expressed in the English idiom "to be all smiles."
- Cậu bé được khen nên cứ ngỏn ngoẻn mãi. (The boy was praised so he was all smiles.)