nằn nèo
Definition
- Verb:
- To pester; to nag persistently: The primary meaning of "nằn nèo" is to repeatedly and annoyingly ask, beg, or urge someone to do or give something, often in a whining or pleading manner.
- To importune; to press insistently: It describes the act of applying continuous, bothersome pressure in request or persuasion.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đứa trẻ nằn nèo mẹ mua đồ chơi. (The child pestered his mother to buy a toy.)
- Anh ta nằn nèo tôi cho mượn tiền. (He nagged me persistently to lend him money.)
- Cô ấy cứ nằn nèo xin lỗi cho đến khi tôi đồng ý. (She kept importuning for an apology until I agreed.)
Advanced Usage
- The verb often implies a sense of annoyance from the person being asked, due to the repetitive and insistent nature of the request. It is more negative than simply asking.
Variants and Related Words
- Nằn nì (verb): A more common variant with the same meaning of persistent begging or pleading.
- Nó nằn nì bố cho đi chơi. (He pleaded with his father to let him go out.)
Synonyms
- Pester: To trouble or annoy with frequent or persistent requests.
- Nag: To annoy by constant fault-finding or repeated demands.
- Importune: To ask (someone) pressingly and persistently for or to do something.
Related Idioms
- While "nằn nèo" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the behavior it describes is central to expressions about persistent begging or coaxing.