Definition

1. Verb:
   • To lie with an end up; to be tilted or raised with one end/part higher than the rest: Describes the state of an object where a part that is normally at the bottom is raised or pointing upwards, often implying an unstable or overturned position.
   • To stick up; to be upended: To have the rear or a specific part elevated.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Càng xe bò nằm chổng lên. (The ox-cart shafts lay upended / pointed up in the air.)
  • Cán cân chổng. (The scale-beam was tilted / had one end up.)
  • Con thuyền chổng mũi lên. (The boat's bow was raised / sticking up.)
  • Đứa bé ngã chổng cả bốn vó. (The child fell with all four limbs in the air.)

Advanced Usage

• "chổng mông" / "chổng mông lên": To stick one's buttocks up; to be in a position with the rear elevated.
  • Đứa trẻ nằm chổng mông ngủ. (The child slept with his buttocks sticking up.)
• "chổng kềnh": To be lying overturned or upended (emphasizing a clumsy, sprawling state).
  • Chiếc xe đạp ngã chổng kềnh giữa đường. (The bicycle fell over, lying upended in the middle of the road.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chổng is primarily used as a verb. It is often part of descriptive compound verbs (like , ) rather than used alone.
• Chống (verb): To prop up, to support. (Note: Different word and meaning, but similar spelling).
• Ngửa (adj/verb): To lie face/side up; supine. Describes a different upward orientation.

Synonyms

• Ngửa: To be upturned, face-up (often for open containers or body position).
• Dựng ngược: To stand something upside down/on end (more active).
• Nghiêng: To tilt, to lean (less specific about a part pointing upwards).

Related Phrases (Descriptive Verb Phrases)

• Chổng gọng: (Of glasses) To be askew, with the frames tilted up.
  • Cặp kính bị rơi chổng gọng. (The glasses fell and were lying with the frames askew.)
• Nằm chổng queo: To lie in a twisted, upended position.
  • Cái cây đổ nằm chổng queo trên mái nhà. (The fallen tree lay twisted and upended on the roof.)

Related Idioms

• Chổng mông lên trời: (Literally: to stick one's buttocks up to the sky) To be in a state of complete failure or helplessness; to be bankrupt or ruined.
  • Công ty làm ăn thua lỗ, giờ chổng mông lên trời rồi. (The company operated at a loss and is now completely bankrupt/ruined.)

verb

1. To lie with an end up
   • càng xe bò nằm chổng lên
     the cart lay with its shafts up in the air
   • cán cân chổng
     the scale-beam had one end up, the scale-beam was tilted