ngoan ngoãn
The English word "obedient" is translated into Vietnamese as ngoan ngoãn.
Ngoan ngoãn is an adjective used to describe someone who is well-behaved and obedient.
Meaning: willing to comply with commands (adj)
Which one should you use?
Ngoan ngoãn is an adjective used to describe a person's nature or character. In contrast, the phrase vâng lời is a verb phrase meaning "to obey orders" or "to listen to parents/elders".
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the reduplicated form ngoan ngoãn is often shortened to just ngoan when describing a person's character.
Did you know?
- Although ngoan is used for children, calling an adult ngoan can sometimes be perceived as patronizing, as it implies the person is acting like a child.
- In many Vietnamese households, being ngoan is considered the highest compliment a grandparent can give to a child, often surpassing academic achievements in terms of praise.
- The word ngoan is a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of the Chinese character 愿, which originally meant 'honest and cautious'.
Examples in context
- Tôi không nghĩ Tom sẽ ngoan ngoãn đâu.I don't think Tom will be obedient.This sentence is useful for expressing a doubt about someone being ngoan ngoãn.Tatoeba #11371321 by chaule3, translation #6246233 by CK
- Em bé này rất nghe lời.This child is very obedient.
- Chúng tôi vâng lời cô giáo.We obey the teacher.
- Cô con gái của tôi luôn luôn ngoan ngoãn.My daughter is always obedient.
- Bạn vâng lời mẹ bạn chưa?Have you obeyed your mom?
- Bé trai này rất ngoan.This boy is very obedient.
- Con chó này rất ngoan ngoãn.This dog is very obedient.
- Những đứa trẻ ngoan ngoãn thường nghe lời cha mẹ.Obedient children usually listen to their parents.
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are talking about Chi's young son.
- HùngCon trai em có ngoan ngoãn không?Is your son obedient?
- ChiCháu rất ngoan ngoãn và biết nghe lời.He is very obedient and listens well.
- HùngThật tuyệt vời khi cậu bé ngoan như vậy.It is wonderful that the boy is so well-behaved.
- ChiCảm ơn anh, Hùng nhé.Thank you, Hùng.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ngoan, ngoan ngoãn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
