Definition

1. Adjective (used as an intensifier):
   • To death; extremely; to the point of exhaustion: An informal intensifier used to exaggerate the extreme degree of a state or action, often implying a feeling of being overwhelmed or pushed to one's limit. It does not literally mean physical death but emphasizes an extreme level.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tôi mệt chí chết. (I am exhausted to death.)
  • Cô ấy lo chí chết về kết quả thi. (She worried herself to death about the exam results.)
  • Chạy chí chết mà không kịp. (To run oneself to death and still be late.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase typically follows an adjective (e.g., mệt - tired, buồn - sad) or a verb (e.g., lo - to worry, chạy - to run) to amplify its meaning.
• It conveys a colloquial, dramatic tone and is common in spoken Vietnamese.

Variants and Related Words

• Chết đi được: An even more informal and exaggerated phrase with a similar meaning of "to death" or "extremely."
  • Vui chết đi được. (To be extremely happy.)

Synonyms

• Cực kỳ: extremely.
• Vô cùng: immensely, exceedingly.
• Đến chết được: (informal) to the point of death.

Related Idioms

• Làm chí chết: to work oneself to the bone/to death.
  • Họ làm chí chết để kiếm tiền. (They work themselves to death to earn money.)

1. To death
   • chạy chí chết mà không kịp
     to run oneself to death and be still late
   • lo chí chết
     to worry oneself to death