Signification
Being very clumsy or confused.
Contexte culturel
Chickens are ubiquitous in Vietnamese life. This idiom reflects the close observation of animal behavior in rural settings, which is then applied to human psychology. Vietnamese culture values 'bình tĩnh' (calmness). Being 'lúng túng' is often seen as a sign of youth or lack of experience, which is why the idiom is frequently used by elders to describe younger people. The use of 'tóc' (human hair) instead of 'lông' (feathers) is a linguistic quirk that highlights the 'unnatural' nature of the confusion—it's something external that has tripped you up. Like many cultures, Vietnam uses animals to describe human states. Compare this to the English 'deer in headlights' or 'headless chicken'.
Use it for yourself
Using this idiom to describe your own mistakes makes you sound very humble and fluent. It's a great 'ice-breaker'.
Don't over-use
It's a strong image. If you use it every time you're slightly confused, it loses its impact. Save it for truly 'tangled' moments.
Signification
Being very clumsy or confused.
Use it for yourself
Using this idiom to describe your own mistakes makes you sound very humble and fluent. It's a great 'ice-breaker'.
Don't over-use
It's a strong image. If you use it every time you're slightly confused, it loses its impact. Save it for truly 'tangled' moments.
Pair with 'tay chân'
Native speakers often say 'tay chân lúng túng như gà mắc tóc' to emphasize physical clumsiness.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Khi bị hỏi bất ngờ, anh ấy lúng túng như ___ mắc ___.
The correct animal is 'gà' (chicken) and the material is 'tóc' (hair).
Which situation best fits the idiom 'lúng túng như gà mắc tóc'?
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
Spilling coffee on a boss creates the perfect 'flustered and awkward' situation.
Complete the dialogue.
Hoa: 'Sao mặt cậu đỏ thế?' - Minh: 'Tớ vừa gặp người yêu cũ, tớ ___.'
Meeting an ex-partner often causes the social awkwardness described by the idiom.
Match the Vietnamese idiom with its English equivalent context.
Nối cặp:
These are common equivalents for these Vietnamese idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKhi bị hỏi bất ngờ, anh ấy lúng túng như ___ mắc ___.
The correct animal is 'gà' (chicken) and the material is 'tóc' (hair).
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
Spilling coffee on a boss creates the perfect 'flustered and awkward' situation.
Hoa: 'Sao mặt cậu đỏ thế?' - Minh: 'Tớ vừa gặp người yêu cũ, tớ ___.'
Meeting an ex-partner often causes the social awkwardness described by the idiom.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common equivalents for these Vietnamese idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's generally considered lighthearted and humorous. However, don't use it for someone in a serious crisis.
Only if you have a very close, casual relationship with the recipient. Otherwise, stick to 'bối rối' or 'chưa rõ'.
Because hair is much harder for a chicken to get out of—it's thin, slippery, and tangles easily. It makes the metaphor stronger.
You can just say 'lúng túng', but the idiom adds much more flavor and 'Vietnamese-ness' to your speech.
While it comes from animals, we almost exclusively use it to describe humans now.
'Lúng túng' often implies you don't know what to DO (action), while 'bối rối' is more about what you FEEL (emotion).
Yes! 'Cả nhóm lúng túng như gà mắc tóc' (The whole group was flustered).
It is used and understood perfectly in all regions of Vietnam.
No, that's not a standard idiom. Stick to the chicken!
It's introduced at A2, but mastering its nuance is a B2/C1 skill.
Expressions liées
Bối rối
similarConfused or embarrassed.
Lóng ngóng
similarClumsy or awkward in movement.
Như gà mắc đẻ
similarRestless and anxious.
Bình tĩnh
contrastCalm and composed.
