nghịch

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 逆 (“to oppose”). Doublet of ngược.

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ŋïk̟̚˧˨ʔ]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ŋɨt̚˨˩ʔ]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ŋɨt̚˨˩˨]

Adjective

nghịch

1. (rare, of a limb) non-dominant
2. (mathematics, of a relationship between two variables) inversely proportional

   tỉ lệ nghịch với

   to be inversely proportional with

3. (chemistry, of a reaction, or its direction as noted in the equation) "leftward"

Antonyms

• thuận

Verb

nghịch

1. (usually of a child) to fiddle or play around with something

   Nó đang ngồi nghịch máy tính.

   She's playing with the computer.

2. (chiefly Northern Vietnam, usually of a child) to be playfully naughty

   Synonym: quậy

   Thằng cu con em nghịch như giặc.

   My boy is uncontrollable.