to đầu
Definition
- Adjective (derogatory):
- Big-headed / Large-headed: Literally describes a person with a physically large head. It is primarily used in a figurative and pejorative sense.
- Grown-up / Adult (with negative connotation): Used to criticize someone who is physically mature or older in age but acts foolishly, irresponsibly, or lacks wisdom. It implies that their age or size is not matched by appropriate intelligence or behavior.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nó to đầu rồi mà còn hành xử như trẻ con. (He's a grown-up but still acts like a child.)
- To đầu mà dại. (Literally: Big-headed but foolish. / Figuratively: Old enough to know better, yet still stupid.)
- Mấy đứa to đầu đấy không biết suy nghĩ gì cả. (Those big shots [lit. big-headed ones] don't think about anything.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost exclusively used in the fixed, proverbial expression "to đầu mà dại". This idiom strongly emphasizes the disappointment or contempt for an adult who behaves in a childish or unintelligent manner.
Variants and Related Words
- Lớn đầu: A more neutral term meaning "older in age" or "grown-up," without the strong derogatory force of "to đầu."
- Nó đã lớn đầu, biết suy nghĩ rồi. (He's grown up now and knows how to think.)
Synonyms
- Foolish adult: An adult who lacks sense.
- Immature for one's age: Behaving younger than one's years would suggest.
- Big but dumb (colloquial): Emphasizes the disconnect between size/age and intelligence.
Related Idioms
- To đầu mà dại: The primary and most common idiom. It is a complete, proverbial criticism meaning "Old enough to know better, but still a fool" or "Big in size but small in brains."
- Anh ta cứ mắc những lỗi ngớ ngẩn, đúng là to đầu mà dại. (He keeps making silly mistakes; he's truly an old fool.)