Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Gossipy and nosy: Describes a person who is overly curious about other people's private affairs and who spreads that information by talking about it.
   • Meddlesome and inquisitive: Characterizes someone who pries into matters that are not their concern, often with the intent of discovering and sharing secrets or rumors.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy rất thóc mách, lúc nào cũng muốn biết chuyện của hàng xóm. (She is very gossipy and nosy, always wanting to know about the neighbors' business.)
  • Đừng có thóc mách chuyện người khác. (Don't be meddlesome about other people's affairs.)
  • Tính nó thóc mách lắm. (He has a very inquisitive and gossipy nature.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used to describe a person's character or a specific behavior. It carries a strong negative connotation of disapproval.

Variants and Related Words

• Tò mò (adj): Curious. This is a more neutral term, while implies curiosity with malicious or gossipy intent.
  • Trẻ con thường tò mò về thế giới xung quanh. (Children are often curious about the world around them.)

Synonyms

• Gossipy: Fond of or engaged in casual conversation about other people.
• Nosy: Inquisitive in a meddlesome way.
• Busybody: A meddling or prying person.

Related Idioms

• Ngồi lê đôi mách: To sit around and gossip idly. This idiom describes the action that a person would engage in.
  • Họ chẳng làm gì, chỉ ngồi lê đôi mách cả ngày. (They don't do anything, just sit around gossiping all day.)