ngỗ nghịch
Definition
- Adjective:
- Naughty and defiant; insubordinate: Describes a person, typically a child or young person, who is disobedient, stubbornly misbehaves, and shows a lack of respect for authority or rules.
- Unruly; undisciplined: Refers to behavior that is difficult to control, marked by a rebellious and cheeky attitude.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Thằng bé ngỗ nghịch. (The boy is naughty and defiant.)
- Nó có tính cách rất ngỗ nghịch. (He has a very unruly character.)
- Đừng có ngỗ nghịch với người lớn! (Don't be insolent to your elders!)
Advanced Usage
- The term "ngỗ nghịch" often implies a combination of stubbornness (ngang bướng) and cheeky insolence (láo xược). It is stronger than simply "naughty" (nghịch ngợm) and carries a connotation of intentional disrespect.
Variants and Related Words
Nghịch ngợm (adj): Mischievous, playful (generally less severe and more playful than ngỗ nghịch).
- Bọn trẻ nghịch ngợm trong vườn. (The children are playing mischievously in the garden.)
Bướng bỉnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate (focuses on stubbornness without the strong element of insolence).
- Đứa trẻ bướng bỉnh không chịu nghe lời. (The stubborn child refuses to listen.)
Láo xược (adj): Insolent, impudent (focuses on rude, disrespectful speech or attitude).
- Cậu học sinh trả lời láo xược với giáo viên. (The student answered the teacher insolently.)
Synonyms
- Insubordinate: Defying authority.
- Unruly: Disorderly and difficult to control.
- Impudent: Not showing due respect.
- Wayward: Difficult to control or predict because of willful behavior.
Related Idioms
- While "ngỗ nghịch" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it describes the behavior referenced in phrases like:
- Cứng đầu cứng cổ: (Stiff-headed, stiff-necked) meaning extremely stubborn and obstinate.
- Thằng bé ngỗ nghịch, cứng đầu cứng cổ. (The boy is defiant, stiff-headed and obstinate.)