ngờ nghệch

Một chú chó con ngờ nghệch nhìn chằm chằm vào chiếc bóng của chính mình.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Simple-minded; naive; gullible: Describes a person who lacks sophistication, worldly experience, or critical judgment, often making them seem foolish or easily deceived due to their excessive trust or innocence.
   • Slow-witted; dim: Can imply a natural slowness in understanding or perceiving things.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cậu bé trông thật ngờ nghệch. (The boy looks very simple-minded.)
  • Đừng có ngờ nghệch mà tin lời người lạ. (Don't be so naive as to believe a stranger's words.)
  • Vẻ mặt ngờ nghệch của anh ấy khiến mọi người thương hại. (His slow-witted expression made people pity him.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a tone of pity or gentle criticism rather than harsh insult. It describes an inherent lack of sharpness or street smarts.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngờ nghệch is the standard form. It is sometimes shortened colloquially to "ngờ" in certain dialects, though this is less common.
• Khờ khạo (adj): Another common synonym meaning foolish, simple, or dopey.

Synonyms

• Naive: Lacking experience, wisdom, or judgment.
• Gullible: Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous.
• Simple-minded: Lacking subtlety or sophistication.
• Slow: Not quick to understand.

Antonyms

• Khôn ngoan: Wise, shrewd.
• Tinh ranh: Sharp, cunning, astute.
• Sắc sảo: Sharp-witted, perceptive.

Related Idioms

• While "ngờ nghệch" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used in descriptive phrases like:
  • Ngờ nghệch như bò đội nón (As slow-witted as a cow wearing a hat) – a folk simile emphasizing foolish simplicity.