Definition

1. Verb:
   • To throw a temper tantrum: To lie down and refuse to get up, often on the ground, as a deliberate act of protest, manipulation, or to make a scene in order to get one's way or demand compensation. This action is typically associated with children or immature, demanding behavior.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đứa trẻ không được mua đồ chơi liền nằm vạ giữa siêu thị. (The child, not getting the toy, threw a tantrum on the supermarket floor.)
  • Anh ta nằm vạ trước cửa nhà đối tác, đòi được gặp giám đốc. (He staged a protest by lying down in front of the partner's house, demanding to see the director.)
  • Đừng có nằm vạ nữa, đứng dậy nói chuyện cho nghiêm túc. (Stop throwing a tantrum; get up and talk seriously.)

Advanced Usage

• The action of implies a calculated, performative act aimed at applying social pressure or emotional blackmail to achieve a goal, rather than a spontaneous emotional outburst.
• It can be used figuratively for adults to criticize behavior perceived as childish, unreasonable, or manipulative in a dispute or negotiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn vạ (v): A closely related synonym, often used interchangeably with . It emphasizes the act of making a scene or causing trouble to demand compensation or concession.

Synonyms

• To throw a tantrum
• To stage a protest (by lying down)
• To make a scene

Related Idioms

• While itself is often used as a descriptive idiom, a related concept is:
  • Làm lớn chuyện / Làm to chuyện: To make a big deal out of something, to exaggerate a situation. This can describe the intent behind an act of nằm vạ.

verb

1. to throw temper tantrum