ngủ nhè
Definition
- Verb phrase (colloquial, often used for children):
- To wake up crying; to be fussy upon waking: Describes the common behavior of a young child who cries, whines, or is irritable immediately after waking up from sleep, especially from a nap.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Bé mới ngủ dậy và đang ngủ nhè. (The baby just woke up and is being fussy.)
- Con mình hay ngủ nhè lắm, cứ tỉnh giấc là khóc. (My child often wakes up crying; every time he wakes, he cries.)
- Đợi một chút, em bé đang ngủ nhè, một lúc nữa sẽ ngoan. (Wait a moment, the baby is fussy after waking; he'll be fine in a bit.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost exclusively used to describe the behavior of infants and toddlers. It implies a temporary, sleep-related grumpiness that is not a sign of serious distress but a normal part of a child's waking process.
Variants and Related Words
- Ngủ dậy (v): to wake up.
- Quấy khóc (v): to fuss and cry.
- Khóc nhè (v): to whine or cry (more general, not specifically linked to waking).
Synonyms
- To be cranky upon waking
- To wake up fussy
- To wake up crying
Related Idioms
- While not a formal idiom, the phrase "ngủ nhè" itself is a fixed, colloquial expression in Vietnamese describing this specific situation.