van lơn
Definition
- Verb:
- To wheedle; to coax: To persuade someone to do or give something by using sustained, gentle, and often insincere flattery or pleading.
- To cajole: To persuade someone through flattery or soothing words, especially to gain a favor.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đứa trẻ van lơn mẹ mua cho đồ chơi. (The child wheedled his mother into buying him a toy.)
- Nó van lơn tôi cho nó đi cùng. (He coaxed me into letting him come along.)
- Cô ấy van lơn sếp cho nghỉ phép sớm. (She cajoled her boss into granting her early leave.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a persistent, somewhat pleading, and emotionally manipulative form of persuasion, typically from a position of perceived weakness or desire.
Variants and Related Words
Van xin (v): to beg, to implore earnestly and desperately. This is stronger and more urgent than "van lơn."
- Kẻ tội phạm van xin sự khoan hồng. (The criminal begged for mercy.)
Nài nỉ (v): to urge persistently; to plead. It suggests repeated asking but may lack the flattering tone of "van lơn."
- Anh ấy nài nỉ tôi ở lại. (He persistently urged me to stay.)
Synonyms
- Wheedle: To influence or entice by soft words or flattery.
- Cajole: To persuade with false promises or gentle pleas.
- Coax: To persuade gently and patiently.
Related Idioms
- Van lơn khóc lóc: To wheedle and wail; to plead tearfully and desperately.
- Nó van lơn khóc lóc để được tha thứ. (He wheedled and wailed to be forgiven.)