ẽo ợt
Definition
- Adjective (colloquial):
- Affectedly sweet or coy; mincing: Describes a manner of speaking or behaving that is artificially delicate, overly sweet, or unnaturally soft, often to appear cute, gentle, or flirtatious in a way that seems insincere or exaggerated.
- Lacking in strength or substance; feeble: Can describe something (like an argument, style, or action) that is weak, unconvincing, or without force.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô ấy nói chuyện ẽo ợt quá, nghe không tự nhiên chút nào. (She talks in such an affectedly sweet way; it doesn't sound natural at all.)
- Lời biện minh của anh ta nghe thật ẽo ợt và thiếu thuyết phục. (His excuse sounded very feeble and unconvincing.)
- Kiểu diễn ẽo ợt đó không phù hợp với nhân vật mạnh mẽ. (That mincing acting style is not suitable for a strong character.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used critically or disparagingly to comment on someone's affected demeanor, particularly in speech, tone of voice, or physical gestures. It implies a performance or an act that is contrary to one's usual or genuine nature.
Variants and Related Words
- Ẻo lả (adj): Similar to "ẽo ợt," describing a deliberately soft, delicate, and often seductive but affected manner.
- Giọng hát ẻo lả (A deliberately soft and affected singing voice.)
Synonyms
- Affected: Behaving in an artificial way to impress others.
- Mincing: Speaking or moving with exaggerated delicacy.
- Coy: Pretending shyness or modesty, often in a flirtatious way.
- Feeble: Lacking strength or vigor; weak.
- Insincere: Not expressing genuine feelings.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Nói giọng ẽo ợt: To speak in an affectedly sweet or coy tone.
- Đừng nói giọng ẽo ợt với tôi. (Don't speak to me in that affectedly sweet tone.)
- Dáng đi ẽo ợt: A mincing or affectedly delicate walk.
- Cô ấy bước vào với dáng đi ẽo ợt. (She walked in with a mincing gait.)