to mồm
Definition
- Adjective (colloquial, often derogatory):
- Loud-mouthed; having a big mouth: Describes a person who speaks in a loud, brash, or aggressive manner, often without regard for politeness or appropriateness.
- Impudent; insolent; talking back: Specifically refers to someone who is argumentative, disrespectful, or defiant in speech, especially when they are in the wrong.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa bé hư đó rất to mồm. (That naughty child is very loud-mouthed.)
- Nó làm sai nhưng vẫn to mồm cãi. (He did it wrong but still talked back insolently.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in informal, spoken contexts and carries a strong negative connotation. It criticizes not just volume, but the attitude behind the speech—defiance, lack of respect, or shamelessness.
Variants and Related Words
- To tiếng (adj): to raise one's voice; to speak loudly. This can be neutral or negative, but lacks the strong connotation of insolence that "to mồm" carries.
- Hỗn xược (adj): impudent, insolent. A more formal synonym for the disrespectful attitude implied by "to mồm".
Synonyms
- Loud-mouthed
- Impudent
- Insolent
- Brash
- Defiant (in speech)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To mồm to mép: An intensified form emphasizing excessive, argumentative, or boastful talk.
- Đừng có to mồm to mép ở đây. (Don't be so loud-mouthed and argumentative here.)