Definition

Adjective: - Dishevelled, ruffled: Describes an untidy, messy, or unkempt appearance, especially of hair or clothing. - Haggard, worn out: Describes a tired, exhausted, or fatigued appearance, often due to lack of sleep, illness, or overwork, clearly visible on one's face or overall demeanor.

Usage Examples

• Describing untidy appearance:

  • Đầu tóc bơ phờ. (Ruffled/Dishevelled hair.)
  • Quần áo bơ phờ sau chuyến đi dài. (Clothes were dishevelled after the long trip.)

• Describing exhausted appearance:

  • Mặt mũi bơ phờ. (To look haggard and wasted.)
  • Thức đêm nhiều, trông người bơ phờ hẳn ra. (After many sleepless nights, he looked quite haggard.)
  • Sau trận ốm, cô ấy trông rất bơ phờ. (After the illness, she looked very haggard.)

Advanced Usage

• "bơ phờ vì...": haggard/worn out because of...

  • Anh ta bơ phờ vì lo lắng. (He looks haggard from worry.)

• "trông bơ phờ": to look dishevelled/haggard.

  • Đừng để mình trông bơ phờ thế khi đi phỏng vấn. (Don't let yourself look so dishevelled when going for an interview.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bờ phờ (adj): A less common variant with the same meaning.
• Phờ phạc (adj): Very similar in meaning, emphasizing extreme tiredness and a worn-out appearance.
  • Mặt mày phờ phạc. (A completely worn-out face.)

Synonyms

• Bù xù (adj): Messy, tousled (primarily for hair).
• Rũ rượi (adj): Drooping, limp, looking utterly exhausted.
• Tiều tụy (adj): Haggard, gaunt, often due to suffering or sickness.
• Mệt mỏi (adj): Tired, weary (a more general term for fatigue).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Đầu tóc bơ phờ: A common phrase specifically describing messy, uncombed hair.

  • Thức dậy muộn, đầu tóc bơ phờ. (Waking up late with dishevelled hair.)

• Mặt mũi bơ phờ: A common phrase specifically describing a haggard, tired-looking face.

  • Làm việc cả đêm, sáng ra mặt mũi bơ phờ. (Working all night, waking up with a haggard face in the morning.)

adj

1. Dishevelled, ruffled
   • đầu tóc bơ phờ
     ruffled hair
2. Haggard
   • mặt mũi bơ phờ
     to look haggard and wasted
   • thức đêm nhiều, trông người bơ phờ hẳn ra
     after many sleepless nights, he looked quite haggard