co dúm

Lá cây co dúm lại vì nắng gắt.

Definition

1. Verb:

   • To shrivel / to contract / to pucker: To become smaller, wrinkled, or drawn together, often due to heat, cold, dryness, or a strong reaction.
   • To cringe / to flinch: To shrink back or tense one's body, as from fear, pain, or disgust.

2. Adjective:

   • Shrivelled / puckered / wrinkled: Describing the state of being contracted and full of small folds or creases.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Lá cây co dúm lại vì nắng gắt. (The leaves shrivelled up due to the harsh sun.)
  • Đứa trẻ co dúm người khi nghe tiếng động lớn. (The child flinched/cringed when it heard the loud noise.)
• Adjective:
  • Tờ giấy cũ để ngoài mưa trông co dúm. (The old paper left in the rain looks wrinkled and puckered.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often describes an involuntary physical reaction, either of an object/material or a person's body/face.
• It can imply a loss of vitality, smoothness, or courage, resulting in a contracted, uneasy state.

Variants and Related Words

• Co rúm: A common variant spelling with identical meaning (to shrivel, to cringe).
  • Mặt anh ta co rúm lại vì đau. (His face contorted with pain.)

Synonyms

• Shrivel: To contract and wrinkle.
• Cringe: To bend one's head and body in fear or apprehension.
• Pucker: To gather into small wrinkles or folds.
• Wither: To become dry and shrivelled.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Co dúm người lại: To shrink/huddle oneself up (from cold or fear).
  • Cô ấy co dúm người lại trong góc phòng. (She huddled herself up in the corner of the room.)