Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Greasy, oily: Describes a surface that is slippery and shiny due to the presence of oil, grease, or a similar substance.
   • Familiar, disrespectful (of behavior): Describes behavior, especially of a child or subordinate, that shows a lack of proper respect or deference, becoming overly casual or impudent.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Greasy, oily):

  • Tay anh ấy nhờn vì dầu mỡ. (His hands are greasy from oil and fat.)
  • Mặt cô ấy thuộc loại da nhờn. (She has oily skin.)
  • Chiếc bát rửa chưa sạch, vẫn còn cảm giác nhờn. (The bowl wasn't washed clean; it still feels greasy.)

• Adjective (Familiar, disrespectful):

  • Đừng chiều cháu quá, nó sẽ sinh nhờn. (Don't spoil the child too much, he will become disrespectful.)
  • Nhân viên đó tỏ ra hơi nhờn với cấp trên. (That employee acts somewhat familiar with his superiors.)
  • Nó nói năng nhờn nhẽo với người lớn. (He speaks impudently to adults.)

Advanced Usage

• "lờn mặt" / "nhờn mặt": To become familiar/impudent due to excessive leniency or tolerance.
  • Nó đã lờn mặt vì anh cứ dung túng cho nó. (He has become impudent because you keep indulging him.)
• "nhờn thuốc" (medical context): Refers to a condition where a drug becomes less effective due to overuse or resistance (often seen as a metaphorical extension).
  • Vi khuẩn đã nhờn thuốc kháng sinh. (The bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotic.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhờn nhờn (adj): Slightly greasy/oily.
• Nhờn nhợt (adj): Often describes a pale, sickly, and somewhat greasy complexion.
• Nhờn nhẽo (adj): Emphasizes the impudent, overly familiar, or slick-talking aspect of behavior.
  • Thái độ nhờn nhẽo không được chấp nhận ở đây. (A slick, impudent attitude is not acceptable here.)
• Lờn (adj): A common variant, especially in Southern Vietnamese, with the same meanings (greasy, disrespectful). Often used in "lờn mặt".

Synonyms

• Bóng nhẫy, nhớp nháp (for greasy/oily): Slippery, grimy.
• Cáo già, láu (for disrespectful/familiar): Sly, cheeky (often with a negative connotation of cunning or lack of respect).
• Vô lễ, hỗn xược (for disrespectful): Rude, insolent (stronger, more direct terms for disrespect).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Nuôi ong tay áo, nuôi cáo trong nhà" (idiom): Literally "to raise bees in one's sleeve, to raise a fox in the house" – meaning to nurture someone who later betrays or becomes disrespectful. This relates to the concept of someone becoming "nhờn" or impudent.
• "Quen hơi bén tiếng": To become overly familiar due to frequent contact. This explains the process leading to "nhờn" behavior.
• "Được đằng chân lân đằng đầu": To be given an inch and take a mile. This describes the progressive nature of becoming "nhờn".

1. Greasy
   • Tay nhờn những dầu máy
     To have one's greasy with lubricant
   • như lờn Behave with familiarity