Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stubborn, wilful, obstinate: Describes a person, typically a child, who is difficult to teach, discipline, or correct; someone who is headstrong and refuses to comply with instructions or advice.
   • Hard-faced, impudent: Can imply a certain boldness or lack of shame in one's disobedience, showing a defiant attitude.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất rắn mặt, bảo gì cũng không nghe. (That child is very stubborn, not listening to any instruction.)
  • Nó rắn mặt lắm, mắng mấy cũng chẳng sợ. (He is very wilful, not afraid no matter how much you scold him.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a nuance of frustration from the perspective of the parent, teacher, or authority figure. It describes not just a temporary act of defiance but a persistent character trait of being unyielding and difficult to manage.

Variants and Related Words

• Cứng đầu (adj): Hard-headed, stubborn. A close synonym, though "rắn mặt" can more specifically imply a defiant facial expression or attitude.
• Bướng bỉnh (adj): Obstinate, disobedient. Another common synonym for stubbornness, especially in children.
• Ngang ngạnh (adj): Recalcitrant, pig-headed. Emphasizes an unreasonable and contrary nature.

Synonyms

• Stubborn: Having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position.
• Wilful: Deliberately obstinate; headstrong.
• Obstinate: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.
• Recalcitrant: Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.

Related Idioms

• While "rắn mặt" itself is an adjective, it is related to the concept of:
  • Mặt dày mày dạn: To be thick-skinned or shameless. This idiom shares the connotation of being impervious to criticism or scolding, similar to the defiant aspect of "rắn mặt."

1. Stubborn, wilful, obstinate