Definition

1. Noun:
   • A brat, a little rascal: A derogatory term for a child or young person who is perceived as impudent, mischievous, or lacking proper manners.
   • A whippersnapper, a young upstart: Refers to a young person who is disrespectful or acts with unwarranted confidence beyond their age or status.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thằng nhãi nhép đó lại trèo tường nhà hàng xóm. (That little brat is climbing the neighbor's wall again.)
  • Nhãi nhép mà đã phì phèo thuốc lá. (A little whippersnapper like that is already smoking cigarettes.)
  • Đồ nhãi nhép, không được nói chuyện với người lớn như thế! (You brat, don't talk to adults like that!)

Advanced Usage

• "Nhãi nhép con": A slightly more emphatic or diminutive form, often expressing greater contempt or annoyance.
  • Cái nhãi nhép con này to gan thật! (This little rascal is really bold!)
• Used primarily in informal, spoken Vietnamese to scold or reprimand children or youths. It carries a strong negative connotation and is not polite.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhãi (n): A shorter, slightly less harsh synonym with the same core meaning of a brat or impudent child.
  • Thằng nhãi đó nghịch quá. (That brat is too mischievous.)
• Trẻ ranh (n): A similar derogatory term for a young, inexperienced, and often impudent person.
• Nhóc con (n): A more neutral or even slightly affectionate term for a kid or little one, not inherently derogatory like "nhãi nhép".

Synonyms

• Brat: A poorly behaved child.
• Rascal: A mischievous or cheeky person, especially a child.
• Whippersnapper: A young and inexperienced person who is overconfident.

Related Phrases

• Đồ nhãi nhép: A common phrase used in direct address for scolding, meaning "You brat!"
  • Đồ nhãi nhép, im ngay! (You brat, be quiet now!)

Notes on Usage

• Register: Highly informal and derogatory. It is used in anger, frustration, or to express strong disapproval. It is not appropriate for formal contexts or polite conversation.
• Tone: The term is inherently disrespectful and belittling. It emphasizes the speaker's view that the subject is immature and ill-mannered.
• Target: Almost exclusively used to refer to children or adolescents, not adults.

1. nh nhãi