Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Agile, Vivacious, Active: Describes a person, especially a child, who is quick, lively, and energetic in movement or response.
   • Prompt, Quick to Respond: Indicates a tendency to act or reply swiftly, often without sufficient forethought, which can sometimes lead to clumsiness or error.

2. Adjective (in compound form):

   • Clumsily Prompt, Bunglingly Quick: When combined with "đoảng," it forms "nhanh nhảu đoảng," describing someone who acts hastily but ineffectively or clumsily.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chú bé nhanh nhảu. (The little boy is agile/vivacious.)
  • Cô ấy trả lời một cách nhanh nhảu. (She answered in a quick, off-the-cuff manner.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhanh nhảu đoảng": Prompt but bungling, clumsily prompt. This phrase criticizes quick action that is poorly executed.
  • Anh ta nhanh nhảu đoảng nên làm hỏng việc. (He was clumsily prompt, so he ruined the task.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhanh nhẹn (adj): Nimble, agile. Carries a more positive connotation of skillful speed.
• Mau mắn (adj): Quick, willing, and eager.

Synonyms

• Agile: Able to move quickly and easily.
• Vivacious: Attractively lively and animated.
• Hasty: Done or acting with excessive speed or urgency, often implying carelessness.

Related Idioms

• Nhanh nhảu mà hỏng việc: To be quick but ruin the task. Highlights the negative outcome of hasty, thoughtless action.
  • Đừng nhanh nhảu mà hỏng việc. (Don't be so hasty that you ruin the job.)

1. Agile, vivacious, active, prompt
   • Chú bé nhanh nhảu
     an active little boy
   • Nhanh nhảu đoảng
     Prompt but bungling, clumsily prompt