cu cũ
Definition
- Noun (colloquial):
- An ex, a former partner: A casual and slightly humorous term for a former boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner. It implies the relationship is definitively over.
- Something old, a former thing: Can be extended to refer to any old, former, or outdated item, though this usage is less common than the romantic one.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Tôi tình cờ gặp cu cũ của tôi ở siêu thị. (I accidentally ran into my ex at the supermarket.)
- Đừng nhắc đến cu cũ nữa, chúng tôi chia tay lâu rồi. (Don't mention my ex-boyfriend anymore; we broke up a long time ago.)
- Cái điện thoại cu cũ đó vẫn còn dùng được. (That old phone still works.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is inherently informal and conversational. It is often used among friends when discussing past relationships in a light-hearted, non-sentimental way.
- While "cu" is a colloquial, gender-neutral classifier for some nouns, in "cu cũ," it most frequently refers to a male ex-partner. For a female ex, "con cũ" or "bồ cũ" is more typical.
Variants and Related Words
- Bồ cũ / Người yêu cũ (n): A more standard and common way to say "ex-boyfriend/girlfriend" or "former lover."
- Bạn trai cũ (n): Former boyfriend.
- Bạn gái cũ (n): Former girlfriend.
Synonyms
- Ex: A former romantic partner.
- Former boyfriend/girlfriend: A more formal equivalent.
- Old flame: A nostalgic term for a past lover.
Notes on Usage
- Register: Highly informal and colloquial. Not suitable for formal or written contexts.
- Connotation: The term often carries a tone of finality and detachment, sometimes with a hint of dismissiveness or humor. It is not typically used for a recent or emotionally charged breakup.
- Structure: The phrase follows the common Vietnamese pattern of [Classifier + Adjective]. Here, "cu" acts as a familiar classifier, and "cũ" means "old" or "former."