Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Mischievous, sly, cunning: Describes a person, especially a child, who is clever in a naughty or deceitful way, often to get what they want or to play tricks.
   • Fine, small, insignificant: Describes something very small in size or of little importance.

2. Noun:

   • Boundary, dividing line: A line or limit that marks the separation between two areas, territories, or concepts.
   • (Archaic/Superstitious): A stillborn child who, according to superstitious belief, is reborn as the next child in the family.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Mischievous):
  • Thằng bé ranh lắm. (That little boy is very mischievous/sly.)
  • Đừng có ranh mãnh với tôi! (Don't be sly with me!)
• Adjective (Fine, small):
  • Mấy con cá ranh. (A few small/insignificant fish.)
• Noun (Boundary):
  • Phân ranh hai vùng. (To demarcate the boundary between two zones.)
  • Đường ranh giới. (The boundary line.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ranh ma" / "Ranh mãnh": These are common compound adjectives meaning cunning, crafty, or wily. They intensify the mischievous quality.
  • Nó là một kẻ ranh ma. (He is a cunning fellow.)
• "Ranh con": A compound noun often used pejoratively to refer to a bratty, impudent, or know-it-all kid.
  • Thằng ranh con đó lại gây chuyện nữa rồi. (That brat has caused trouble again.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ranh giới (n): Boundary, borderline. This is the most common compound for the "boundary" meaning.
  • ranh giới giữa thiện và ác (the boundary between good and evil)
• Ranhh (adj): A variant spelling sometimes seen, carrying the same "mischievous" meaning.
• Ranh vặt (adj): Petty, cunning in small, trivial matters.

Synonyms

• Tinh quái (adj): Mischievous, sly.
• Láu cá (adj): Sly, cunning (often with a negative connotation).
• Giới hạn (n): Limit, boundary (for the noun meaning).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: As 'ranh' is primarily an adjective/noun, it does not form phrasal verbs in the same way as English verbs. The related constructions are compound words.)

Related Idioms

• "Ranh như cáy": As sly as a crab (a type of small crab known for being hard to catch). This idiom emphasizes extreme cunning or trickiness.
  • Đừng tin hắn, hắn ranh như cáy ấy. (Don't trust him, he's as sly as a crab.)
• "Nhất quỷ nhì ma thứ ba học trò / Ranh nhất là thằng ranh con": A saying meaning "First are ghosts, second are demons, third are students / The craftiest are the bratty kids." It highlights the perceived mischievous nature of children/students.

adj

1. sly; mischievous
   • thằng bé ranh lắm
     That little boy is very mischievous