Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cut with a blunt knife: To separate or sever an object by repeatedly moving a dull blade back and forth across it, applying sawing pressure because the blade is not sharp enough to cut cleanly.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy cứa mãi mà không đứt được sợi dây. (He sawed at it for a long time but couldn't cut through the rope.)
  • Con dao này cùn quá, tôi phải cứa từng miếng nhỏ. (This knife is too dull; I have to saw off small pieces.)
  • Đừng cứa bánh mì như thế, nó sẽ bị nát. (Don't saw the bread like that; it will get crushed.)

Advanced Usage

• "cứa cứa": Describes a repeated, often ineffective, sawing action.
  • Nó cứa cứa vào khúc gỗ cả buổi mà chẳng xong. (He kept sawing at the log all afternoon without finishing.)
• Used metaphorically to describe a grating, unpleasant sound or a slow, irritating action.
  • Giọng hát đó cứa vào tai tôi. (That singing voice grates on my ears.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cưa (Verb): To saw (using a proper saw tool). This is a distinct word for using a saw, while "cứa" implies using an inappropriate, dull blade.
• Cắt (Verb): To cut (general term, usually with a sharp instrument).

Synonyms

• Cắt bằng dao cùn: To cut with a dull knife.
• Nạo: To scrape (can imply a similar back-and-forth motion but for scraping surfaces, not cutting through).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Cứa đứt: To saw/cut through (after much effort).
  • Cuối cùng anh ta cũng cứa đứt được dây thừng. (He finally managed to saw through the rope.)

Related Idioms

• Cứa từng li: To make painstakingly slow progress, like cutting millimeter by millimeter.
  • Dự án tiến triển chậm, cứ như cứa từng li vậy. (The project is progressing slowly, as if inching forward bit by bit.)

verb

1. to cut with a blunt knife