xàm
Definition
Adjective:
- Nonsensical, silly, foolish: Describes speech, writing, or ideas that lack sense, logic, or seriousness; often trivial or stupid.
- Inane, pointless: Refers to content or action that is meaningless, without value, or a waste of time.
Verb (colloquial):
- To talk nonsense, to babble: The act of saying silly or pointless things.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đừng nghe những lời xàm đó. (Don't listen to that nonsense.)
- Câu chuyện này nghe thật xàm. (This story sounds really silly.)
- Verb:
- Nó chỉ đang xàm thôi, đừng tin. (He's just talking nonsense, don't believe it.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in informal, casual speech among peers. It can carry a tone of light-hearted dismissal or mild annoyance depending on context.
- Can describe not just speech, but also situations, jokes, or media (e.g., a movie, a task) considered pointless or foolish.
Variants and Related Words
- Xàm xí (adj/phr): A reinforced form meaning "complete nonsense" or "utterly pointless."
- Trò đùa xàm xí! (What an utterly pointless joke!)
- Nói xàm (v phr): To talk nonsense.
- Thôi đừng nói xàm nữa. (Stop talking nonsense.)
Synonyms
- Nonsensical: Lacking intelligible meaning or sense.
- Silly: Foolish, lacking in seriousness.
- Inane: Lacking significance or point.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Chuyện xàm: Nonsensical story/issue.
- Bỏ qua đi, đó chỉ là chuyện xàm. (Forget it, it's just a nonsensical issue.)
- Xàm quá!: An exclamation meaning "That's so stupid/nonsensical!"
- Xàm quá! Ai lại làm thế? (That's so stupid! Who would do that?)