Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fidget: To make small, restless movements of the hands, feet, or body, often due to boredom, nervousness, or mischief. This is the most common and core meaning of "nhí nháy".
   • To wink or blink repeatedly (rare, archaic): To open and close one's eyes quickly and repeatedly. This meaning is now considered rare and is mostly found in older texts or specific dialects.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to fidget):
  • Đứa trẻ nhí nháy suốt buổi học. (The child fidgeted throughout the lesson.)
  • Ngồi yên, đừng có nhí nháy nữa! (Sit still, stop fidgeting!)
  • Nhí nháy nghịch suốt ngày. (To fidget getting into mischief all day long.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "nhí nháy" is primarily used to describe the restless, often mischievous behavior of children. It carries a connotation of playful, continuous, and somewhat annoying small movements.

Variants and Related Words

• Nháy mắt (v): To wink (once, intentionally). This is the standard modern term for winking.
  • Anh ấy nháy mắt với tôi. (He winked at me.)

Synonyms

• Fidget: To make small movements, especially of the hands and feet, through nervousness or impatience.
• Squirm: To wriggle or twist the body from side to side.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and contemporary meaning of "nhí nháy" is to fidget. The older meaning related to winking or blinking ("se faire signe discrètement" – to signal discreetly) is largely obsolete in modern everyday Vietnamese. When referring to eye movements, the phrase "nháy mắt" is used instead.

1. Fidget
   • Nhí nháy nghịch suốt ngày
     To fidget getting into mischief all day long