Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Awkward, clumsy (with one's limbs): Describes a person whose hands or limbs are weak, uncoordinated, and move in an ungainly or inelegant manner, often resulting in messy or imprecise actions.
   • Inept, maladroit: Refers to a lack of skill or grace in physical movement, particularly in handling objects or performing manual tasks.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy vụng về, tay chân quều quào. (He is clumsy, his limbs are awkward.)
  • Bà cụ tay quều quào khó cầm nổi đôi đũa. (The old woman's hands are so clumsy she can barely hold the chopsticks.)
  • Đừng để thằng bé quều quào tự rót nước, nó sẽ làm đổ hết. (Don't let the clumsy boy pour water by himself; he'll spill it all.)

Advanced Usage

• "chân tay quều quào": This common collocation emphasizes the awkwardness of both arms and legs.
  • Sau cơn bệnh, ông ấy đi lại chân tay quều quào. (After the illness, he walks with awkward, clumsy limbs.)
• Used to describe the ineffective or messy result of an action performed by someone clumsy.
  • Nét vẽ quều quào của đứa trẻ. (The child's awkward brushstrokes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Quờ quào (verb): To grope or fumble around clumsily, often in the dark or when unable to see. While similar, "quờ quào" focuses more on the searching, fumbling action itself, whereas "quều quào" describes the inherent state of physical awkwardness.
  • Nó quờ quào trong bóng tối tìm công tắc đèn. (He fumbled around in the dark looking for the light switch.)
• Vụng về (adj): Clumsy, awkward. A more general synonym.
• Lóng ngóng (adj): Awkward, gawky, often due to tall stature or lack of coordination.

Synonyms

• Clumsy: Lacking grace or skill in movement.
• Awkward: Not smooth or graceful.
• Maladroit: Inefficient or unskillful in physical movement.
• Inept: Having or showing no skill.

Notes on Meaning

• The word strongly implies a physical, bodily clumsiness, not social awkwardness.
• It often carries a connotation of weakness () alongside the lack of coordination.
• It is typically used in a slightly critical or descriptive sense, not as a severe insult.

1. Awkward, clumsy with one's limbs