Definition

1. Verb:
   • To claw and tear, to tear (violently): Refers to the physical action of using claws or hands to rip something apart, often in a violent struggle or fight. It can also describe a metaphorical tearing, such as emotional pain that feels like it is ripping one apart internally.
   • To get at each other's throat, to be at each other's throats: Describes a state of intense conflict, hostility, or vicious infighting between individuals or groups.

Usage Examples

• Literal, physical action:

  • Hai con mèo cấu xé nhau. (The two cats clawed and tore at each other.)
  • Bọn trẻ xông vào cấu xé nhau để giành món đồ chơi. (The children rushed in, clawing and tearing at each other to grab the toy.)

• Figurative, emotional or internal pain:

  • Nỗi đau ấy cấu xé trái tim cô. (That pain tore at her heart.)
  • Sự hối hận cấu xé tâm can anh ta. (Remorse tore at his conscience.)

• Figurative, intense conflict:

  • Các phe phái trong công ty đang cấu xé lẫn nhau. (The factions within the company are at each other's throats.)
  • Những kẻ cầm đầu băng đảng cấu xé nhau vì quyền lực. (The gang leaders got at each other's throats over power.)

Advanced Usage

• "cấu xé nội tâm": to be tormented internally, to have inner turmoil.

  • Anh ấy bị cấu xé nội tâm giữa lý trí và tình cảm. (He was tormented internally between reason and emotion.)

• "cấu xé lương tâm": to have a gnawing conscience, to be plagued by guilt.

  • Hành động sai trái ấy cấu xé lương tâm hắn. (That wrongful action gnawed at his conscience.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cấu (verb): to scratch, to claw (often with fingernails).

  • Con mèo cấu rách rèm cửa. (The cat scratched the curtain, tearing it.)

• Xé (verb): to tear, to rip.

  • Cô ấy xé tờ giấy làm đôi. (She tore the paper in half.)

• Xé xác (verb phrase): to tear someone to pieces (very violent, literal or figurative).

  • Lũ chó hoang xé xác con mồi. (The wild dogs tore the prey to pieces.)

Synonyms

• Giằng xé (verb): to tug and tear, to be torn (often used for internal conflict or physical pulling).

  • Nỗi buồn giằng xé tâm hồn cô. (Sorrow tore at her soul.)

• Cào cấu (verb): to scratch and claw (emphasizes the scratching action).

  • Hai đứa trẻ cào cấu nhau. (The two children scratched and clawed at each other.)

Related Idioms

• Cấu xé như chó cắn nhau: to fight viciously like dogs biting each other (emphasizes the brutality of the conflict).

  • Họ tranh giành và cấu xé như chó cắn nhau. (They fought and tore at each other like dogs.)

• Ruột gan bị cấu xé: to feel one's guts are being torn out (describes extreme emotional anguish).

  • Nghe tin dữ, bà ta cảm thấy ruột gan bị cấu xé. (Upon hearing the bad news, she felt as if her guts were being torn out.)

1. To claw and tear, to tear
   • xông vào cấu xé nhau
     they rushed at each other clawing and tearing
   • nỗi buồn cấu xé ruột gan
     a heart torn by sadness
2. To get at each other's throat
   • mấy tên cầm đầu bọn phỉ cấu xé lẫn nhau
     the chieftains of the bandits got at each other's throat