Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Compact, firm, lumpy (describing soil): Used to describe soil that is densely packed, hard, or has a lumpy texture, often due to overwatering or poor aeration.
   • Affable, easygoing (describing a person's nature): Used to describe a person who is gentle, kind, and easy to get along with. This meaning is primarily used in the compound phrase "dễ tính".

2. Noun:

   • Curlew (a type of bird): Refers to a wading bird of the genus Numenius, characterized by a long, slender, downcurved bill.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (describing soil):

  • Đất ở đây rất dẽ, khó trồng trọt. (The soil here is very compact, making it difficult to cultivate.)
  • Tưới nhiều làm dẽ đất. (Overwatering makes the ground lumpy.)

• Adjective (describing a person's nature):

  • Anh ấy là người rất dẽ tính. (He is a very easygoing person.)

• Noun (bird):

  • Tôi thấy một con dẽ đang kiếm ăn ở bãi bồi. (I saw a curlew foraging on the mudflat.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đất dẽ chặt": Very compact/hard soil.
  • Cánh đồng này đất dẽ chặt, cần cải tạo. (This field has very hard soil that needs improvement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dẽ giun (n): Common Snipe (a bird species, ).
• Dẽ gà (n): Woodcock (a bird species, ).
• Dẽ tính (adj): Easygoing, affable, good-natured. (This is the primary compound form for the personality trait).
  • Cô giáo mới rất dẽ tính. (The new teacher is very easygoing.)

Synonyms

• Chặt, rắn (adj): Tight, hard, solid (for soil).
• Hiền lành, dễ chịu, dễ gần (adj): Gentle, pleasant, approachable (for personality, synonymous with "dẽ tính").

Notes on Usage

• The adjectival meaning related to soil ("compact, lumpy") is the most common standalone use of the word dẽ.
• The meaning related to personality ("affable") is almost exclusively used in the compound form dẽ tính. Using dẽ alone to describe a person is rare and may not be widely understood.
• The noun meaning ("curlew") is a specific ornithological term.

1. Curlew (chim)
2. Lumpy (nói về đất)
   • Tưới nhiều làm dẽ đất
     Overwatering makes the ground lumpy