vùng vằng
Definition
- Verb:
- To act petulantly or sulkily: To display one's displeasure, annoyance, or stubborn refusal through agitated body movements (like shaking one's body, flailing arms) or by giving short, uncooperative answers.
- To bestir oneself (in a negative, reluctant way): To move or act with visible irritation and a lack of willingness, often before leaving a place or refusing to participate further.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đứa trẻ vùng vằng không chịu mặc áo ấm. (The child acted petulantly and refused to wear a warm coat.)
- Nghe xong câu đó, cô ấy vùng vằng đứng dậy bỏ đi. (After hearing that, she sulkily stood up and left.)
- Anh ấy chỉ vùng vằng trả lời qua loa rồi im bặt. (He just answered sulkily and perfunctorily before falling silent.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often describes the physical manifestation of a sulky, uncooperative mood. It implies a childish or immature reaction to not getting one's way.
- The reduplicated form "vùng và vùng vằng" is used for emphasis, indicating a stronger, more agitated display of petulance.
Variants and Related Words
- Vùng (verb): To struggle, to thrash (e.g., to break free). While related, "vùng" is more about physical struggle, whereas "vùng vằng" focuses on the emotional display.
Synonyms
- To sulk: To be silent, morose, or bad-tempered out of annoyance or disappointment.
- To act up: To behave in a disobedient or troublesome way.
- To be petulant: To be childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Related Idioms
- Vùng vằng bỏ đi: To leave in a huff; to storm off in a sulky, irritated manner.
- Không thuyết phục được, nó vùng vằng bỏ đi. (Unable to persuade him, he stormed off in a huff.)
verb
-
to bestir oneself
