cù túng
Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Financially constrained, short of money: Describes a state of lacking sufficient funds, being in a tight or difficult financial situation.
    • Tight, cramped, restricted: Can describe a physical space that is narrow, confined, or lacking room.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • Gia đình anh ấy đang rất cù túng. (His family is in a very tight financial situation.)
    • Căn phòng trọ này hơi cù túng. (This rented room is a bit cramped.)
    • Chúng tôi sống cù túng sau khi công ty phá sản. (We lived in financial straits after the company went bankrupt.)
Advanced Usage

  • "cảnh cù túng": a state of hardship or financial difficulty.

    • Họ đã vượt qua cảnh cù túng nhờ sự cần cù. (They overcame their financial hardship through diligence.)

  • "cù túng về tiền bạc": specifically constrained regarding money.

    • Thời sinh viên, tôi thường xuyên cù túng về tiền bạc. (During my student years, I was often short of money.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Túng thiếu (adj): needy, destitute, in want. This is a close synonym, often emphasizing a more severe or basic lack.

    • Những gia đình túng thiếu được nhận hỗ trợ. (Needy families receive support.)

  • Chật hẹp (adj): narrow, tight (primarily for space). This focuses on physical confinement.

    • Lối đi chật hẹp. (A narrow passageway.)

  • Eo hẹp (adj): narrow, limited (can be used for both space and abstract concepts like options).

    • Nguồn tài chính eo hẹp. (Limited financial resources.)
Synonyms
  • Khó khăn về tài chính: having financial difficulties.
  • Thiếu thốn: lacking, in need (can be for money or material things).
  • Bí tiền: (colloquial) broke, out of money.
Related Phrases
  • Rơi vào cảnh cù túng: to fall into a state of financial constraint.
    • Sau trận lũ, nhiều người rơi vào cảnh cù túng. (After the flood, many people fell into financial hardship.)
Notes on Usage
  • "Cù túng" primarily describes a temporary or situational state of financial tightness or physical crampedness, not necessarily permanent poverty.
  • The reference definition "séquoia" (a type of tree) appears to be an error or a very obscure, outdated botanical term not in common use. The standard and widely understood meaning in modern Vietnamese is as defined above.
cù túng
Gia đình anh ấy đang rất cù túng.