Definition

1. Verb:

   • To break (off): To separate into two or more pieces, often suddenly and completely, due to force, cutting, or strain. It implies a clean separation.
   • To snap: Used for long, thin objects like strings, ropes, or wires that break under tension.
   • To be severed/cut off: To have a connection or link physically or metaphorically terminated.

2. Adverb:

   • Completely / definitively / for good: Used colloquially to emphasize the finality or totality of an action, often with verbs of loss or sale.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Dây thừng bị đứt. (The rope broke/snapped.)
  • Anh ấy bị đứt tay. (He cut his hand. / His hand was cut.)
  • Chúng tôi đã đứt liên lạc. (We have lost contact. / Our contact was severed.)

• Adverb:

  • Họ bán đứt mảnh đất. (They sold the plot of land outright/for good.)
  • Tôi quên đứt chuyện đó. (I forgot that matter completely.)

Advanced Usage

• "đứt đoạn": to be discontinuous, interrupted.

  • Câu chuyện kể đứt đoạn. (The story was told in a fragmented/discontinuous way.)

• "cắt đứt": to cut off, to sever (emphasizes the deliberate action).

  • Cô ấy cắt đứt quan hệ với họ. (She cut off relations with them.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đứt gãy (v): to fracture, to break (often for bones or geological faults).

  • Xương có thể bị đứt gãy. (The bone can fracture.)

• Đứt quãng (adj/phr): intermittent, sporadic.

  • Tiếng ồn đứt quãng. (The noise was intermittent.)

Synonyms

• Break: to separate into pieces.
• Snap: to break suddenly and sharply.
• Sever: to cut through completely.
• Cut off: to disconnect or interrupt.

Related Idioms

• Đứt bóng: to lose touch completely, to vanish from sight.

  • Sau khi đi, nó đứt bóng luôn. (After leaving, he vanished completely.)

• Đứt hơi: to be out of breath; to be financially broke (colloquial).

  • Chạy lên dốc, tôi đứt hơi. (Running up the hill, I was out of breath.)
  • Tháng này tôi đứt hơi rồi. (I'm completely broke this month.)

verb

1. to break; to give away ; to cut