nghịch ngợm
The English word naughty translates to Vietnamese as nghịch ngợm.
The term is used to describe someone who is bad or tends to misbehave. It can also be used informally to denote playful or mischievous behavior.
Meaning: bad, tending to misbehave or act badly (adj)
Which one should you use?
While nghịch ngợm focuses on being playful or mischievous, hư hỏng is used for someone who is mischievous, naughty or even a bit rebellious. For a more intense description of a child who is unruly or causing trouble, use quậy phá.
Did you know?
- In many Vietnamese social contexts, describing a child as nghịch ngợm is actually a compliment to their high energy or liveliness rather than a criticism of their behavior.
- The word nghịch shares a common ancestor with words used to describe things that are 'counter-clockwise' or 'against the grain'.
- If you call a person hư hỏng, you are literally implying they are 'broken' or 'spoiled' in their character, rather than just being playful.
Examples in context
- Em bé này rất nghịch ngợm nhưng luôn đáng yêu.This baby is very naughty but always adorable.
- Nhóm bạn thường xuyên quậy phá khi cùng nhau chơi.The group of friends often misbehaves when playing together.
- Đứa trẻ đó rất nghịch ngợm.That child is very naughty.
- Con mèo nhỏ thật là nghịch ngợm.The little kitten is so naughty.
- Đừng có nghịch ngợm quá nhé.Don't be too naughty.
Example conversation
Lan and Tuấn are talking about Tuấn's younger brother.
- LanEm trai của Tuấn có ngoan không?Is your younger brother well-behaved?
- TuấnKhông, cậu ấy rất nghịch ngợm.No, he is very naughty.
- LanCậu ấy thường làm gì?What does he usually do?
- TuấnCậu ấy thích phá đồ chơi.He likes to break toys.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nghịch, nghịch ngợm, ngợm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
