Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Silly; stupid: "đần" describes a person who lacks intelligence, shows poor judgment, or is slow to understand.
   • Dull; dazed; vacant: "đần" can also describe a blank, unresponsive, or vacant expression or state of mind, often due to shock, confusion, or simple-mindedness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó hơi đần. (That child is a bit slow/silly.)
  • Anh ta trông mặt đần độn. (He looks foolish/block-headed.)
  • Nghe tin đó, mặt nó cứ đần ra. (Upon hearing that news, his face just went blank/vacant.)

Advanced Usage

• "mặt đần ra": to have a blank/vacant/dazed look on one's face.
  • Cô ấy nghe xong câu hỏi, mặt đần ra không biết trả lời thế nào. (After hearing the question, she had a blank look, not knowing how to answer.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đần độn (adj): foolish, block-headed, dim-witted. This is a common compound form that intensifies the meaning of "đần".
  • Hành động đần độn. (A foolish action.)
• Ngây đần (adj): simple-minded, naive, often with a connotation of innocence.
  • Ánh mắt ngây đần của đứa trẻ. (The simple-minded gaze of the child.)

Synonyms

• Ngu ngốc: stupid, idiotic (stronger, more insulting).
• Ngốc nghếch: silly, goofy.
• Khờ dại: simple, naive.
• Thẫn thờ: dazed, absent-minded (closer to the "vacant" meaning).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary meaning relates to low intelligence or foolishness.
• The secondary meaning describes a temporary state of vacant expression or mental dullness, not necessarily permanent stupidity. This is often seen in the structure "mặt/người... đần ra".

adj

1. silly; stupid
   • đần độn
     foolish; block-headed