Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Plentiful, abundant, numerous: "bề bề" describes a state of having a very large quantity or number of something, often to the point of being overwhelming or more than enough.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ruộng bề bề không bằng một nghề trong tay. (Having plentiful fields is not as good as having a trade in hand.)
  • Anh ấy có công việc bề bề cần phải giải quyết. (He has a great deal of work to resolve.)
  • Mùa này, cá ở sông lên bề bề. (This season, fish in the river are abundant.)

Advanced Usage

• "bề bề bộn bộn": This is a common reduplicative phrase that intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a state of being extremely numerous, plentiful, and often messy or disorganized.
  • Giấy tờ trên bàn làm việc của cô ấy bề bề bộn bộn. (The papers on her desk are in a huge, messy pile.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bộn bề (adj): This is a common variant with a similar meaning of "numerous," "multifarious," or "hectic," often implying complexity or being overwhelmed by many tasks.
  • Cuộc sống bộn bề khiến anh ấy luôn căng thẳng. (A hectic life keeps him constantly stressed.)
• Dồi dào (adj): Plentiful, abundant, ample (often used for resources, supplies, or qualities like energy).
  • Đất nước có tài nguyên thiên nhiên dồi dào. (The country has abundant natural resources.)

Synonyms

• Nhiều: Many, much, a lot (a more common and general term).
• Dư dả: Ample, more than enough, plentiful (often implying sufficiency or surplus).
• Thừa thãi: Superfluous, excessive, in excess (can have a slightly negative connotation of being more than needed).

Notes on Meaning

• Connotation: "Bề bề" often carries a nuance of an overwhelming or conspicuous abundance. It is frequently used in proverbs and descriptive contexts rather than in precise quantitative statements.
• Context: It is typically used with uncountable nouns (like work, rice fields) or collective nouns to describe a large, often untidy or burdensome, quantity.

adj

1. Plentiful
   • ruộng bề bề không bằng một nghề trong tay
     a trade is better than plenty of fields
   • công việc bề bề
     plenty of work to do