ngớ ngẩn
In Vietnamese, silly is expressed as ngớ ngẩn.
ngớ ngẩn is an adjective used to describe someone or something as foolish, showing a lack of good sense and wisdom. Depending on the context, it can be used in a lighthearted way to mean 'silly', but it often carries a stronger connotation of being 'stupid' or 'absurd'.
Meaning: foolish, showing a lack of good sense and wisdom (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ngớ ngẩn is a common choice, other terms exist for different nuances: ngốc is a common way to describe someone as silly and khờ can also be translated as silly. If you wish to express a sense of mischievous silliness, you might use the informal expression lầy.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ngớ ngẩn can be preceded by the intensifier rất to say 'very silly' (rất ngớ ngẩn).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ngu to mean 'silly' in polite conversation, as it is a much stronger and impolite term.
Did you know?
- While ngớ ngẩn describes a lack of sense, the word lầy literally means 'muddy'. Using it to describe a 'silly' or mischievous person suggests they are 'sticky' and won't let a joke go.
- The word ngốc is a softer alternative to ngớ ngẩn and is frequently used as a term of endearment between couples. Calling a partner 'silly' with ngốc can be a way to act cute or affectionate.
- The word ngớ ngẩn comes from a state of being physically stunned or dazed. It literally describes the sensation of being so shocked or motionless that you lose your ability to act or speak sense.
Examples in context
- Con người thật ngớ ngẩn.Humans are silly.This sentence demonstrates the use of ngớ ngẩn to describe humans.Tatoeba #13339900 by leucammieuvu, translation #9919482 by shekitten
- Tôi cần hỏi bạn 1 câu hỏi ngớ ngẩnI need to ask you a silly question.This sentence shows how to use ngớ ngẩn to describe a question.Tatoeba #12538144 by thanhcona40, translation #1417 by CK
- Đừng làm những việc ngớ ngẩn như vậy.Don't do silly things like that.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Huong are talking about a funny mistake made by a friend.
- NamAnh ấy trông thật ngớ ngẩn.He looks so silly.
- HươngĐúng là một hành động ngớ ngẩn.It really was a silly action.
- NamCô ấy chắc sẽ cười nhạo anh ấy.She will probably laugh at him.
- HươngChắc chắn rồi, việc này thật ngớ ngẩn.Certainly, this is so silly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ngớ ngẩn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
