Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Inconventional, contrary to normal logic or custom: Describes something that goes against the usual, reasonable, or accepted way, often seeming awkward, perverse, or illogical.
   • Untimely, unseasonable, or inconvenient: Refers to something happening at a wrong or inappropriate time.
   • Awkward, troublesome, or leading to bad results: Describes a situation or action that is problematic and causes unfavorable outcomes.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thời tiết năm nay trái khoáy thật. (The weather this year is truly perverse/unseasonable.)
  • Giải quyết một việc trái khoáy. (To resolve an awkward/troublesome matter.)
  • Anh ấy luôn đưa ra những ý kiến trái khoáy. (He always gives contrary/inconventional opinions.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a negative connotation, implying not just difference from the norm, but a troublesome or frustrating opposition to it.
• It can describe abstract concepts (like logic, weather, events) or the nature of a specific situation.

Variants and Related Words

• Trái ngược (adj): opposite, contrary. This is a more neutral term for opposition, while implies an aggravating contradiction.
• Ngược đời (adj): paradoxical, against common sense. Similar to but can sometimes be used in a more philosophical or less personally irritating context.

Synonyms

• Perverse: Willfully determined to act contrary to what is expected or reasonable.
• Awkward: Causing difficulty; hard to deal with.
• Untimely: Occurring at an unsuitable time.
• Inconvenient: Causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Làm trái khoáy: To act in a contrary or troublesome way.
  • Đừng có làm trái khoáy nữa! (Stop acting so perversely!)
• Giờ giấc trái khoáy: An ungodly or inconvenient hour.
  • Họ gọi điện đến một giờ giấc trái khoáy. (They called at a most inconvenient hour.)

adj

1. inconventional, irregular, unacceptable