Definition

1. Noun:
   • The character "八" (bát): This is the literal meaning, referring to the Chinese character for the number eight (八).
   • A bow-legged gait or posture: This is the primary idiomatic meaning. It describes the condition where a person's legs curve outward at the knees, so that when standing with the feet together, the knees remain apart. The name comes from the shape of the character "八", which resembles two lines spreading apart.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy đi chân chữ bát. (He walks with a bow-legged gait.)
  • Tư thế đứng chữ bát có thể do thói quen. (A bow-legged stance can be due to habit.)

Advanced Usage

• "chân chữ bát": This is the most common and complete phrase to describe the condition. It literally means "legs shaped like the character 'bát'".
  • Đứa trẻ tập đi đôi khi có dáng chân chữ bát. (Toddlers sometimes have a bow-legged appearance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chân vòng kiềng: A synonym for "chân chữ bát", meaning bow-legged. It literally means "legs shaped like a rice cooker's handle".
• Chữ bát mở: This phrase emphasizes the "open" or spread-out nature of the shape.

Synonyms

• Bow-legged (adj): The direct English equivalent.
• Genu varum (n): The medical/technical term for the condition.

Related Phrases

• Đi chân chữ bát: To walk in a bow-legged manner.
  • Người đó đi chân chữ bát rất dễ nhận ra. (That person is easily recognizable by their bow-legged walk.)

1. chân chữ bát Bow-legged