Definition

1. Verb (informal, colloquial):
   • To show up, to appear, to show one's face: Used to describe someone arriving or making an appearance, often with a nuance of being late, unexpected, or after a long absence. The tone is casual and can range from humorous to mildly critical or sarcastic.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đi đâu mà giờ mới dẫn xác về? (Where have you been? Why do you only show up now?)
  • Cả tháng không thấy, hôm nay cuối cùng cũng dẫn xác tới. (Haven't seen you for a whole month, you finally decided to show your face today.)
  • Bữa tiệc sắp tan rồi anh mới dẫn xác tới. (The party is almost over and only now do you show up.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies the speaker's slight annoyance, impatience, or teasing regarding the person's late or infrequent appearance.
• It is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese among friends, family, or in informal contexts. Using it in formal situations or with superiors is inappropriate.

Variants and Related Words

• Dẫn thần xác (verb, informal): A slightly extended variant with the same meaning and usage as "dẫn xác."
  • Mấy năm rồi mới dẫn thần xác về thăm quê. (It's been years since you last showed your face to visit your hometown.)

Synonyms

• Xuất hiện (verb): To appear, to show up. (Neutral, formal/informal)
• Có mặt (verb): To be present. (Neutral)
• Lòi ra (verb, very informal/slang): To pop out, to show up. (More humorous or crude than "dẫn xác")

Related Idioms/Phrases

• While "dẫn xác" itself is a fixed colloquial phrase, it is used in similar contexts to the English idiom "to show one's face."
  • Cuối cùng nó cũng chịu dẫn xác ra đây. (He finally deigned to show his face here.)

1. (thông tục) (cũng nói dẫn thần xác) Show up, show one's face
   • Đi đâu mà giờ mới dẫn xác về?
     Where have you been? Why do you only show up now?