nhùn nhũn

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Soft and yielding to the touch; having a pliable, slightly squishy texture: Describes an object or material that is not firm or hard, but easily gives way under slight pressure, often in a pleasant or appealing way. It implies a gentle softness without being completely liquid or mushy.
   • Weak-willed; easily yielding or submissive (figurative): Used to describe a person's character as overly soft, lacking firmness or resolve, and easily persuaded or dominated.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical Texture):
  • Bánh mới ra lò còn nóng và nhùn nhũn. (The freshly baked bread is still hot and soft/squishy.)
  • Đất sau cơn mưa trở nên nhùn nhũn. (The soil after the rain becomes soft and yielding.)
• Adjective (Character):
  • Tính cách anh ta quá nhùn nhũn nên hay bị người khác lấn át. (His character is too weak-willed, so he is often dominated by others.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is a reduplicative form (từ láy) based on the root "nhũn," which means soft or yielding. The reduplication intensifies the quality, emphasizing a state of being very soft, pliable, or lacking resistance.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhũn (adj): Soft, yielding; often used to describe something that has become soft (e.g., overripe fruit) or a person who has become submissive.
  • Trái chuối đã chín nhũn. (The banana has become overripe and soft.)
• Mềm nhũn (adj phrase): Very soft; a synonym emphasizing softness.
  • Chiếc gối mềm nhũn. (The pillow is very soft.)

Synonyms

• Soft and yielding: Squishy, spongy, pliable, malleable.
• Weak-willed: Spineless, submissive, pliant, easily influenced.

Related Idioms

• Nhũn như con chi chi: To be as soft/submissive as a [chi chi] (a type of small, soft-bodied insect); an idiom describing extreme weakness or lack of backbone.
  • Đừng có nhũn như con chi chi thế! (Don't be such a pushover!)