dẫn thần xác
Definition
- Verb:
- To show up, to arrive (often unexpectedly or uninvited): "dẫn thần xác" is a slang, somewhat sarcastic or ironic phrase used to describe the act of arriving or showing up somewhere, often implying the person's physical presence is the only notable thing they brought.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nó lại dẫn thần xác đến bữa tiệc mà không mang theo một chút quà nào. (He just showed up at the party again without bringing any gift.)
- Chỉ biết dẫn thần xác đến rồi ngồi im, chẳng giúp được việc gì. (All he knows is to arrive and then sit quietly, not helping with anything.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is inherently informal and carries a critical or mocking tone. It emphasizes the mere physical arrival of a person, often suggesting they are useless, inconsiderate, or contribute nothing beyond their bodily presence.
- Mỗi lần họp lớp là nó chỉ dẫn thần xác đến, không tham gia phát biểu gì cả. (Every time there's a class reunion, he just shows up and doesn't participate in any discussion.)
Variants and Related Words
- Đến (verb): to come, to arrive. This is the standard, neutral term.
- Xuất hiện (verb): to appear, to show up. Can be neutral or formal.
- Có mặt (verb phrase): to be present. Neutral in tone.
Synonyms
- Lò dò đến (verb phrase): to dawdle in, to arrive slowly or hesitantly.
- Lết xác đến (verb phrase): to drag oneself to (a place), implying reluctance or exhaustion.
Related Phrases
- Dẫn cái xác đến (verb phrase): A variant with the same meaning, using "cái" for added emphasis on the physical body.
- Hắn dẫn cái xác đến đây làm gì? (What did he drag his body here for?)
Related Idioms
- Đến cho có lệ (idiom): To come just for form's sake, to make a token appearance. This idiom shares the connotation of a meaningless or minimal presence.
- Nó đến dự đám cưới chỉ cho có lệ, ngồi được 5 phút rồi đi. (He attended the wedding just for form's sake, sat for 5 minutes and then left.)