Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Mincing, affectedly dainty or delicate: Describes a way of moving, speaking, or behaving that is exaggeratedly soft, gentle, or elegant, often in an unnatural or pretentious manner to attract attention.
   • Whimsical, capricious, fussy: Describes a person who is overly particular, constantly changes their mind, or makes unreasonable demands, making them difficult to please.

2. Adverb:

   • In a mincing manner: Used to describe the action of walking or moving with small, affectedly delicate steps.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Cô ấy nói chuyện õng ẹo quá. (She talks in an overly affected/coquettish way.)
  • Tính nó õng ẹo lắm, đòi hỏi đủ thứ. (He/She is very capricious, demanding all sorts of things.)

• Adverb:

  • Cô ấy đi õng ẹo trên sân khấu. (She walked mincingly on the stage.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm õng ẹo": To act in a coquettish, affected, or fussy manner.

  • Đừng có làm õng ẹo nữa, hãy nói thẳng ra đi. (Stop being so affected/fussy, just say it directly.)

• "Giọng nói õng ẹo": An affected, overly sweet, or simpering voice.

  • Tôi không thích nghe giọng nói õng ẹo của cô ta. (I don't like listening to her affected voice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ẻo lả (adj): Similar to "õng ẹo," describing an exaggeratedly delicate, weak, or coquettish manner, often with a slightly more negative connotation of being overly dramatic.
  • Cô diễn viên có dáng đi ẻo lả. (The actress has a very languid/coquettish walk.)

Synonyms

• Màu mè (adj): Showy, florid, ostentatious (often in speech or writing).
• Kiểu cách (adj): Affected, pretentious, putting on airs.
• Đỏng đảnh (adj): Coquettish, flirtatious, capricious (often used for women).

Related Idioms

• "õng ẹo như con mèo hành": To be as fussy/capricious as a cat in heat. (A humorous and slightly vulgar idiom emphasizing extreme fussiness or unreasonable demands.)
  • Cứ õng ẹo như con mèo hành thế thì ai mà chịu được. (Being so ridiculously fussy like that, who could stand it?)

1. Mincing
   • Đi õng ẹo
     To take mincing steps
2. Whimsical, capricious
   • õng ẹo thế ai chiều nổi!
     Who can gratify such a capricious person?