kề cà

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The Vietnamese word "kề cà" is a colloquial term that means to dawdle or to linger, particularly when talking about something. It describes a situation where someone takes a long time to finish telling a story or explaining something, often going off on tangents or repeating themselves.

Basic Meaning:

• Dawdle: To take a long time to do something, especially by being slow or not focused.
• In conversation: It often refers to someone who is dragging out a story or explanation unnecessarily.

Usage Instructions:

You can use "kề cà" when you want to describe someone who is being overly lengthy or tedious in their storytelling or explanations. It can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying that the speaker is wasting time or being inefficient.

Example:

• "Chị ấy cứ kề cà kể mãi một câu chuyện không xong."
  • Translation: "She keeps dawdling, telling a story that never ends."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced conversations, "kề cà" can be used figuratively to describe any situation where someone is procrastinating or not getting to the point. For example, you might say: - "Đừng kề cà nữa, hãy đi thẳng vào vấn đề." - Translation: "Don't dawdle anymore, get straight to the point."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants, but similar phrases like "nói vòng vo" (to speak in circles) or "lòng vòng" (to meander) can convey a similar idea.

Different Meanings:

While "kề cà" primarily refers to taking too long in conversation, it can also imply a general lack of urgency or efficiency in various contexts.

Synonyms:

• Lề mề: To be slow or draggy in action.
• Lòng vòng: To go around in circles or meander in thought.

Summary:

"Kề cà" is a useful term in Vietnamese for describing someone who is slow to convey their thoughts, especially in storytelling.

Academic

1. Dawdle
   • Kề cà kể mãi một câu chuyện không xong
     To dawdle in telling interminably a story