Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Opposite, reversed, or contrary to the normal or expected order or direction. It describes something that is physically crossed, twisted, or arranged in an opposite manner.
   • Perverse or deliberately contrary. Used to describe an action or behavior that is intentionally done in the opposite or wrong way to be obstructive or difficult.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa bé ngồi tréo ngoe trên ghế. (The child sat with their legs crossed/wrongly on the chair.)
  • Nó cứ làm tréo ngoe mọi chuyện lên. (He keeps doing everything backwards/contrary.)
  • Hai cây gậy đặt tréo ngoe nhau. (The two sticks are placed crossed/opposite each other.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a nuance of awkwardness, incorrectness, or intentional contrariness beyond simple physical description.

Variants and Related Words

• Tréo khoeo (adj): twisted, crooked; often used similarly to describe something not straight.
• Ngược (adj): opposite, reverse, contrary. A more standard synonym without the nuance of perversity.

Synonyms

• Crossed: placed or lying across each other.
• Contrary: opposite in nature, direction, or meaning; perversely inclined to disagree or oppose.
• Reversed: turned the other way around or upside down.

Related Idioms

• Làm tréo ngoe: to do something perversely or deliberately the wrong way.
  • Đừng có làm tréo ngoe nữa! (Stop doing things perversely!)

adjective

1. opposite, reversed