thóc mách
Definition
- 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.)