Definition

1. Adjective (colloquial):
   • Offensive to the ear; grating; jarring: Refers to sounds, words, or speech that are unpleasant, harsh, irritating, or vulgar to listen to. It describes something that causes auditory discomfort or annoyance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nhạc đó nghe thật rác tai. (That music is really grating to the ear.)
  • Đừng nói những lời rác tai như vậy. (Don't say such jarring/offensive words.)
  • Tiếng ồn từ công trường thật sự rác tai. (The noise from the construction site is truly offensive to the ear.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is inherently colloquial and carries a strong negative connotation. It is often used to criticize crude language, loud and chaotic noise, or poor-quality, dissonant sounds.

Variants and Related Words

• Chói tai (adj): piercing, shrill to the ear (often for high-pitched sounds).
  • Tiếng còi báo động nghe chói tai. (The alarm siren sounds piercing.)

Synonyms

• Grating: irritating or unpleasant to hear.
• Jarring: causing a harsh or discordant sound; incongruous in a disturbing way.
• Cacophonous: involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

Related Idioms

• Rác miệng: (vulgar) offensive to the mouth/taste; can refer to foul language or bad food. While related in vulgar register and structure, it is a distinct idiom.
  • Đồ ăn ấy rác miệng lắm. (That food is foul-tasting.)

1. (thông tục) Offend the ear