Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Reckless, rash, foolhardy: Describes a person who acts without thinking of danger or consequences, often in a bold and impulsive manner.
   • Unruly, defiant: Describes behavior that is disobedient, difficult to control, or shows a lack of respect for rules or authority.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cậu bé đó có tính cách rất ngổ ngáo. (That boy has a very reckless temperament.)
  • Hành động ngổ ngáo của hắn suýt gây ra tai nạn. (His foolhardy action almost caused an accident.)
  • Bọn trẻ trở nên ngổ ngáo khi không có sự giám sát. (The children become unruly when there is no supervision.)

Advanced Usage

• "tính ngổ ngáo": reckless nature, defiant attitude.
  • Tính ngổ ngáo của anh ta khiến mọi người lo lắng. (His reckless nature makes everyone worried.)
• "hành vi ngổ ngáo": unruly behavior, defiant conduct.
  • Nhà trường không dung thứ cho hành vi ngổ ngáo. (The school does not tolerate unruly behavior.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngổ (adj): A shorter, more colloquial variant with the same meaning as "ngổ ngáo".
  • Thằng bé tính rất ngổ. (That kid has a very reckless temperament.)

Synonyms

• Liều lĩnh: Reckless, daring (often with a sense of bravery mixed with rashness).
• Bất trị: Unruly, incorrigible (emphasizing being uncontrollable or unmanageable).
• Hỗn láo: Insolent, impudent (emphasizing rude and disrespectful speech/attitude).

Related Idioms

• "Ngổ như tượng": As unruly/reckless as a... (This is a simile, often completed with a noun, e.g., "ngổ như tượng gỗ" - reckless like a wooden statue, implying stubborn and hard to control). It emphasizes extreme unruliness.
  • Đứa trẻ này ngổ như tượng, chẳng ai bảo được. (This child is as unruly as a statue, no one can tell him what to do.)

1. như ngổ