Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Clumsy, awkward, unskilled: Lacking physical coordination, dexterity, or skill in performing tasks, often resulting in awkward or poorly done work.
   • Furtive, secretive: Done in a secret, stealthy, or sneaky manner, typically to avoid being seen or noticed.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Clumsy):
  • Cậu bé còn vụng về khi cầm đũa. (The boy is still clumsy with chopsticks.)
  • Chị ấy thừa nhận mình rất vụng trong việc bếp núc. (She admits she is very unskilled in the kitchen.)
• Adjective (Furtive):
  • Đứa trẻ ăn vụng kẹo trong tủ. (The child furtively ate the candy in the cupboard.)
  • Họ trao nhau ánh mắt và nụ cười vụng trộm. (They exchanged secretive glances and smiles.)

Advanced Usage

• The adjective is often paired with other words to form common descriptive phrases.
  • "vụng về": Emphasizes physical clumsiness or social awkwardness.

    • Anh ấy cảm thấy vụng về trong buổi tiệc. (He felt awkward at the party.)
  • "vụng trộm": Emphasizes the secretive, sneaky nature of an action.

    • Cuộc hẹn vụng trộm của họ đã bị phát hiện. (Their secret rendezvous was discovered.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn vụng (Verb Phrase): To eat sneakily.
  • Mèo hay ăn vụng thức ăn trên bàn. (The cat often sneaks food from the table.)
• Nói vụng (Verb Phrase): To speak covertly or in a whisper.
  • Họ nói vụng với nhau về kế hoạch. (They whispered to each other about the plan.)

Synonyms

• Clumsy, unskilled: awkward, inept, unhandy.
• Furtive: stealthy, sneaky, covert, secretive.

Related Idioms and Proverbs

• Vụng múa chê đất lệch: Literally "The clumsy dancer blames the uneven ground." It means a poor workman blames his tools.
• Áo rách khéo vá hơn lành vụng may: Literally "A skillfully mended torn shirt is better than a clumsily made new one." It emphasizes the value of skillful repair over poor-quality new work.

adj

1. clumsy