vụng dại
Definition
- Adjective:
- Clumsy and inexperienced: Describes a person, especially a young one, who lacks skill, grace, or worldly knowledge, often leading to awkward or foolish actions.
- Naive and simple: Suggests a lack of sophistication, guile, or cunning, often due to youth or innocence.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa trẻ còn vụng dại, làm vỡ bát. (The child is still clumsy and inexperienced, breaking the bowl.)
- Cô ấy thú nhận mình đã có những quyết định vụng dại thời trẻ. (She admitted she made naive and foolish decisions in her youth.)
- Xin bỏ qua cho sự vụng dại của tôi. (Please forgive my clumsiness and lack of experience.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a tone of gentle criticism or pity, implying the behavior is due to a temporary lack of development rather than a permanent character flaw. It is frequently used by elders when referring to the young.
Variants and Related Words
- Vụng về (adj): Clumsy, awkward (more focused on physical lack of skill than on naivety).
- Anh ấy vụng về khi sử dụng đũa. (He is clumsy when using chopsticks.)
Synonyms
- Clumsy: Lacking physical coordination.
- Inexperienced: Lacking practical experience.
- Naive: Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
- Foolish: Lacking good sense or judgment.
Related Idioms
- Vụng dại khờ khạo: To be foolishly naive and simple.
- Nó trông có vẻ vụng dại khờ khạo. (He looks foolishly naive and simple.)