Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Overlapping (in an irregular or messy way): Describes things that lie or are placed over each other in a non-uniform, often untidy manner, creating partial coverage.
   • Duplicative / Redundant: Describes functions, duties, or areas of responsibility that are not clearly separated and thus repeat or conflict with each other.

2. Verb (to overlap irregularly):

   • The action of things covering each other partially and in a disorderly fashion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Việc xếp các tấm ván một cách chồng chéo khiến bức tường không kín. (Overlapping the planks in an irregular way made the wall not airtight.)
  • Cơ cấu tổ chức có nhiều phòng ban chồng chéo về chức năng. (The organizational structure has many departments with overlapping functions.)

• Verb:

  • Những lớp vải này chồng chéo lên nhau. (These layers of fabric overlap [in an irregular way].)
  • Nhiệm vụ của hai ủy ban thường xuyên chồng chéo. (The duties of the two committees frequently overlap.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe inefficiency in systems, management, or physical arrangements due to a lack of clear boundaries or order.
  • Sự chồng chéo trong quản lý dẫn đến lãng phí nguồn lực. (Overlap in management leads to a waste of resources.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chồng lên (v): To overlap, to layer (can be more neutral or orderly than ).
  • Xếp các lá bài chồng lên nhau. (Stack the cards on top of each other.)

Synonyms

• Overlap: To lie over and partly cover something else.
• Duplicative: Involving unnecessary repetition.
• Redundant: Exceeding what is necessary; characterized by overlap or repetition.

Related Concepts

• Trùng lặp: To coincide, to duplicate (often refers to identical repetition rather than irregular overlapping).
• Lộn xộn: Messy, disordered (a more general term for chaos, which can cause or result from ).

1. To overlap (in an irregular way)
   • xếp mấy băng vải chồng chéo lên nhau
     to fold bands of cloth overlapping in an irregular way
   • công việc của họ chồng chéo lên nhau
     their jobs overlapped