Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stunted, underdeveloped: Describes something (typically a plant, tree, or person) that is not growing properly due to unfavorable conditions, resulting in a small, weak, or shriveled appearance.
   • Scrawny, puny: Can describe a person or animal that is thin and weak, often due to malnutrition or poor health.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cây cối trong vùng đất khô cằn này mọc lên rất cằn cọc. (The trees in this arid region grow up very stunted.)
  • Đứa trẻ trông hơi cằn cọc vì thiếu chất dinh dưỡng. (The child looks somewhat scrawny due to a lack of nutrients.)
  • Khu vườn chỉ có những bụi cây cằn cọc. (The garden only has puny bushes.)

Advanced Usage

• Used metaphorically to describe something that is not flourishing or developing fully due to a lack of necessary resources or favorable conditions.
  • Nền kinh tế cằn cọc của đất nước đó cần được cải thiện. (The stunted economy of that country needs to be improved.)
  • Những ý tưởng cằn cọc sẽ không bao giờ phát triển thành hiện thực. (Underdeveloped ideas will never grow into reality.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cằn cỗi (adj): Barren, infertile (often used for land). Implies a lack of vitality or productivity.
  • Vùng đất cằn cỗi (barren land)
• Cọc cằn (adj): Rough, rude, gruff (used to describe a person's harsh manner or speech). This is a different meaning and should not be confused with .
  • Tính tình cọc cằn (a rough temperament)

Synonyms

• Còi cọc (adj): Stunted, runty. Very close in meaning, often used interchangeably.
• Ốm yếu (adj): Sickly, frail. Emphasizes weakness and poor health.
• Khô héo (adj): Withered, dried up. Often used for plants.

Antonyms

• Tươi tốt (adj): Lush, luxuriant (for plants).
• Mập mạp / Béo tốt (adj): Plump, chubby, healthy (for people or animals).
• Phát triển tốt (adj): Well-developed.

1. Stunted (nói khái quát)