củn
Definition
- Verb (colloquial, informal):
- To slip away, to sneak off, to leave discreetly (often without saying goodbye): This is the primary meaning of "củn." It describes the act of leaving a place, especially a social gathering, quietly and without attracting attention or formal farewells. It carries a nuance of avoiding a potentially awkward or lengthy departure.
- To flee, to skedaddle: In some contexts, it can imply a quicker, more urgent departure from an undesirable situation.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ta củn lúc nào mà không ai biết. (He slipped away at some point without anyone noticing.)
- Tiệc hơi chán, tôi định củn sớm đây. (The party is a bit boring, I plan to sneak off early.)
- Thấy cảnh sát đến, bọn chúng củn mất. (Seeing the police arrive, they skedaddled.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "củn" is highly informal and is typically used in casual speech, not in formal writing. It often describes a socially strategic or self-conscious exit.
Variants and Related Words
- Củn mất (v): to have slipped away, to be gone (emphasizing the completed action).
- Kiểm tra lại thì thằng bé đã củn mất. (Upon checking, the boy had already slipped away.)
Synonyms
- To slip away: to leave inconspicuously.
- To sneak off: to depart secretly.
- To duck out: to leave quickly and quietly (informal).
- To make oneself scarce: to leave, especially to avoid trouble.
Related Idioms
- Củn như chuột: to slip away like a mouse; to vanish very quietly and stealthily.
- Nó củn như chuột, không một lời tạm biệt. (He vanished like a mouse, without a single goodbye.)