Signification
Literally 'hard head'; refusing to change one's mind.
Contexte culturel
In Lao families, 'obedience' is a core value. Being 'ຫົວແຂງ' is often seen as a lack of 'Katanyu' (gratitude) toward elders who are trying to guide you. Lao work culture is generally non-confrontational. Calling someone 'ຫົວແຂງ' in a meeting is a very strong statement and can cause 'loss of face.' Buddhism teaches 'Anatta' (non-self) and flexibility. A 'hard head' is seen as being too attached to one's own ego, which goes against spiritual growth. Among modern Lao youth, 'ຫົວແຂງ' is sometimes used jokingly to describe a friend who is very determined or won't change their mind about where to eat.
Use with 'ຫຼາຍ'
Adding 'ຫຼາຍ' (laai) makes it sound more natural when describing someone's character.
Watch your tone
If said with a harsh tone, it can be quite offensive. Use a soft tone if you're just teasing.
Signification
Literally 'hard head'; refusing to change one's mind.
Use with 'ຫຼາຍ'
Adding 'ຫຼາຍ' (laai) makes it sound more natural when describing someone's character.
Watch your tone
If said with a harsh tone, it can be quite offensive. Use a soft tone if you're just teasing.
The 'Due' alternative
If talking about a cute kid, use 'ດື້' (due) instead. It's less 'heavy' than 'ຫົວແຂງ'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'stubborn'.
ລູກຂອງຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຟັງຄວາມເລີຍ, ລາວເປັນຄົນ ______.
'ຫົວແຂງ' is the correct term for someone who doesn't listen (ບໍ່ຟັງຄວາມ).
Match the situation to the phrase.
A friend refuses to wear a helmet even after you explain the danger.
Refusing safety advice is a classic 'hua khaeng' behavior.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ບອກລາວໃຫ້ຢຸດດື່ມເຫຼົ້າແດ່. B: ບອກແລ້ວ, ແຕ່ລາວ ______ ບໍ່ຍອມຢຸດ.
Refusing to stop a bad habit despite advice is 'hua khaeng'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Don't be stubborn'?
Select the best option:
'ຢ່າ' (Don't) + [Idiom] + 'ຫຼາຍ' (Very/So) is the standard imperative form.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Stubborn vs. Naughty
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesລູກຂອງຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຟັງຄວາມເລີຍ, ລາວເປັນຄົນ ______.
'ຫົວແຂງ' is the correct term for someone who doesn't listen (ບໍ່ຟັງຄວາມ).
A friend refuses to wear a helmet even after you explain the danger.
Refusing safety advice is a classic 'hua khaeng' behavior.
A: ບອກລາວໃຫ້ຢຸດດື່ມເຫຼົ້າແດ່. B: ບອກແລ້ວ, ແຕ່ລາວ ______ ບໍ່ຍອມຢຸດ.
Refusing to stop a bad habit despite advice is 'hua khaeng'.
Select the best option:
'ຢ່າ' (Don't) + [Idiom] + 'ຫຼາຍ' (Very/So) is the standard imperative form.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsMostly, yes. It implies someone is being difficult. However, among close friends, it can be used for light teasing.
Yes! You can say 'ຂ້ອຍຫົວແຂງແດ່' (I'm a bit stubborn) to admit you're difficult to convince.
'ດື້' is specifically for children being naughty. 'ຫົວແຂງ' is for anyone refusing to change their mind.
Use 'ຟັງກັນແດ່ເດີ' (Please listen to each other) instead of calling them stubborn directly.
Yes, 'ຍຶດໝັ້ນໃນຄວາມຄິດຂອງຕົນເອງ' (Holding fast to one's own ideas) is the formal way to say it.
Yes, a buffalo or dog that won't follow commands can be called 'ຫົວແຂງ'.
No. A very smart person can still be 'ຫົວແຂງ' if they refuse to listen to others.
Yes, Thai and Lao share this exact idiom with the same meaning and pronunciation.
The opposite is 'ຫົວອ່ອນ' (hua on), meaning obedient or easy to lead.
Only if you are describing a past weakness and how you've improved. Don't use it to describe your current self!
Expressions liées
ຫົວອ່ອນ
contrastObedient; easy to teach
ດື້
similarNaughty; disobedient
ໃຈແຂງ
similarStrong-willed; cold-hearted
ບໍ່ຟັງຄວາມ
builds onNot listening to reason
ຫົວລັ້ນ
specialized formExtremely obstinate
