Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Repulsive, frightening, grim: Describes something that causes fear, disgust, or strong aversion due to its appearance, nature, or quality.
   • Extremely, incredibly (colloquial/intensifier): Used as an adverb-like intensifier to emphasize a high degree of a quality, often surprisingly or shockingly so. This usage is common in informal speech.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (repulsive/frightening):
  • Căn phòng bỏ hoang trông thật dễ sợ. (The abandoned room looked truly repulsive.)
  • Con rắn đó có hình thù dễ sợ. (That snake has a frightening shape.)
• Adjective (as an intensifier):
  • Cô ấy hát hay dễ sợ. (She sings incredibly well.)
  • Trời hôm nay nóng dễ sợ. (It is extremely hot today.)

Advanced Usage

• The intensifier usage often carries a nuance of something being so remarkable or extreme it is almost shocking or awe-inspiring. It can be used for both positive and negative qualities.
  • Anh ấy giàu dễ sợ. (He is frighteningly/extremely rich.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đáng sợ (adj): scary, frightening. This is a more standard term for causing fear.
  • Bộ phim kinh dị rất đáng sợ. (The horror movie is very scary.)
• Kinh sợ (adj): dreadful, horrifying.
  • Đó là một tai nạn kinh sợ. (That was a dreadful accident.)

Synonyms

• Repulsive: arousing intense distaste or disgust.
• Frightening: causing fear or alarm.
• Extremely: to a very great degree.
• Incredibly: to a great degree; amazingly.

Related Idioms

• Giỏi dễ sợ: used to express that someone is scarily good or talented at something.
  • Cậu bé ấy giỏi toán dễ sợ. (That boy is scarily good at math.)
• Nhanh dễ sợ: used to express that something is frighteningly fast.
  • Chiếc xe chạy nhanh dễ sợ. (The car moves frighteningly fast.)

1. Grim, repulsive, disgusting
   • Một cảnh tượng dễ sợ
     A repulsive sight.
2. (địa phương) Extremely
   • Đẹp dễ sợ
     Extremely beautiful