Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Bad, inferior, worthless: Used to describe something of very poor quality, shoddy, or not functioning properly. It often implies a sense of being cheaply made or useless.
   • Despicable, contemptible: Can be used to describe a person or group of people considered to be worthless, good-for-nothing, or of low moral character.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chiếc đồng hồ cà mèng này hỏng sau một tuần. (This worthless watch broke after a week.)
  • Đừng tin bọn người cà mèng đó. (Don't trust that group of worthless people.)
  • Đồ cà mèng mua ngoài lề đường. (Cheap, inferior goods bought from the roadside.)

Advanced Usage

• The term cà mèng is considered informal and often carries a vulgar or strongly derogatory connotation. It is used to express strong disapproval or contempt.

Variants and Related Words

• Tồi (adj): poor, bad (less vulgar than ).
• Vô dụng (adj): useless.
• Cà chớn (adj, informal): shoddy, frivolous, not serious; can sometimes overlap in meaning with but often implies a lack of seriousness rather than just poor quality.

Synonyms

• Shoddy: Badly made or done.
• Lousy: Very poor or bad.
• Worthless: Having no real value or use.
• Contemptible: Deserving scorn or disdain.

Related Idioms

• While cà mèng itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used in similar contexts to phrases like:
  • Đồ bỏ đi: (Something) to be thrown away.

    • Món đồ cà mèng này đúng là đồ bỏ đi. (This worthless item is truly something to be thrown away.)

adj

1. Bad, inferior, worthless
   • chiếc đồng hồ cà mèng
     a watch of inferior quality
   • bọn người cà mèng
     a group of worthless people