Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Weak, exhausted, lacking strength: "đuối" describes a state of physical or mental fatigue, where one feels drained of energy or unable to continue effectively.
   • Inferior, lagging behind, performing poorly: "đuối" can describe being less capable or skilled compared to others, especially in competitive or academic contexts.
   • Slightly short, slightly underweight: In measurements, particularly weight, "đuối" means being a little less than the stated or expected amount.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau trận ốm, anh ấy cảm thấy rất đuối. (After the illness, he feels very weak.)
  • Trong cuộc thi chạy, tôi bị đuối sức ở những vòng cuối. (In the running race, I ran out of strength in the final laps.)
  • Nó học toán hơi đuối so với các bạn trong lớp. (He is a bit weak at math compared to his classmates.)
  • Cân táo này có vẻ hơi đuối. (This weighing of apples seems a bit short.)

Advanced Usage

• "đuối lý": to be at a loss for arguments, to be unable to argue back effectively.

  • Trong cuộc tranh luận, anh ta hoàn toàn đuối lý. (In the debate, he was completely unable to counter the arguments.)

• "đuối sức": to be exhausted, to be physically worn out.

  • Leo đến đỉnh núi, tất cả chúng tôi đều đuối sức. (Climbing to the mountain peak, all of us were exhausted.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cá đuối (n): Stingray (a type of fish). This is a distinct compound noun. The word "đuối" in this name is etymologically related to the adjective, possibly describing the ray's shape or movement.
• Đuối đuối (adj, reduplicated form): Somewhat weak or lacking; often used to soften the degree.
  • Cậu ấy học hành có vẻ đuối đuối. (His academic performance seems somewhat weak.)

Synonyms

• Yếu: weak, feeble (general term for lack of strength).
• Mệt: tired, fatigued (focuses more on the feeling of tiredness).
• Kém: poor, inferior (focuses on lack of skill or quality).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As "đuối" is primarily an adjective, it does not form phrasal verbs in the same way verbs do. However, it commonly combines with nouns to form descriptive phrases. - Bị đuối: to be/become weak or exhausted. - Vận động viên đó bị đuối ở chặng đua cuối cùng. (That athlete became exhausted in the final leg of the race.)

Related Idioms

• "Chết đuối": to drown. This is a fixed idiom where "đuối" implies a state of being overwhelmed (by water), leading to fatal exhaustion.

  • Anh ta suýt chết đuối khi tắm biển. (He almost drowned while swimming in the sea.)

• "Đuối nước": (literally: weak/overwhelmed by water) drowning; also used metaphorically for being in a desperate situation.

  • Công ty đang trong tình trạng đuối nước về tài chính. (The company is in a financially desperate situation / is drowning in debt.)

1. xem cá đuối
2. Doing very badly, very weak
   • Học đuối lắm
     To do very badly in one's studies, to be very weak at learning
3. A little short, not quite the right [weight]
   • Cân cam này hơi đuối
     This kilo of oranges is a little short