mếu máo

[mew˧˦ maːw˧˦]

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

(verb) to twist one's mouth as one cries or before one is about to cry

Verb

Where it’s used: Used Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora

Examples

Nhiều người không cầm nổi nước mắt trước hai đứa trẻ mặc áo xô, vừa mếu máo khóc gọi cha, vừa lủi thủi đi sau quan tài.Many people could not contain their tears at the two children wearing mismatched clothes, mouths twisted due to crying for their father while lonesomely walking behind the coffin.

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sources & notes

Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗

Common questions

What does “mếu máo” mean?

(verb) to twist one's mouth as one cries or before one is about to cry

Is “mếu máo” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.