Definition

1. Adjective (Informal):
   • Restless, fidgety: Describes a state of being unable to keep still, characterized by constant small, often nervous or impatient, movements of the body or limbs.
   • Squirmy: Refers to making twisting and turning movements, typically due to discomfort, impatience, or anxiety.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ ngồi rọ rạy suốt buổi học. (The child sat fidgeting throughout the lesson.)
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ấy cứ rọ rạy không yên. (Upon hearing that news, he became very restless.)
  • Có tiếng chuột rọ rạy trong góc bếp. (There was the sound of a mouse rustling/squirming in the kitchen corner.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "rọ rạy" is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese (khẩu ngữ) to vividly describe physical restlessness. It often implies the movements are noticeable, repetitive, and somewhat irritating to observe.

Variants and Related Words

• Cựa quậy (v): to wriggle, to squirm. This is a close synonym but is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
  • Con sâu cựa quậy trên lá. (The worm wriggled on the leaf.)

Synonyms

• Fidgety: inclined to fidget; restless.
• Restless: unable to rest or relax as a result of anxiety or boredom.
• Squirmy: given to squirming; wriggly.

Related Idioms

• While "rọ rạy" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is related to phrases describing impatience or anxiety, such as "ngồi không yên" (to be unable to sit still).
  • Chờ kết quả, cô ấy ngồi không yên. (Waiting for the results, she couldn't sit still.)

1. (khẩu ngữ) Be restless