Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Rough, uneven, bumpy: Describes a surface, especially a road or path, that has many ups and downs, is not flat, and is difficult to travel on smoothly.
   • Rocky, rugged: Can describe terrain that is full of rocks and irregularities.
   • Unsteady, jerky: Used figuratively to describe a non-smooth, irregular process or movement, such as uneven steps or a bumpy progression.

Usage Examples

• Literal (describing a road/path):
  • Con đường vào làng rất gập ghềnh. (The road to the village is very bumpy.)
  • Xe chạy chậm trên đoạn đường gập ghềnh. (The car drove slowly on the rough stretch of road.)
• Figurative (describing a process/movement):
  • Sự nghiệp của anh ấy khá gập ghềnh. (His career path has been quite bumpy.)
  • Nhịp tim bệnh nhân đập gập ghềnh. (The patient's heartbeat was irregular/unsteady.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đường đời gập ghềnh": A common metaphorical phrase meaning "the bumpy road of life," referring to life's challenges and ups and downs.
  • Ai cũng phải trải qua một quãng đường đời gập ghềnh. (Everyone must go through a bumpy road in life.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gập gà gập ghềnh (reduplicative form, adjective): An intensified form emphasizing a very rough, extremely uneven surface or situation.
  • Đường mòn gập gà gập ghềnh, đi rất khó. (The trail is extremely rough and difficult to walk on.)
• Ghồ ghề (adjective): Similar meaning, describing a rough, rugged, or craggy surface.
• Mấp mô (adjective): Describing a slightly bumpy or uneven surface, often less severe than "gập ghềnh."

Synonyms

• Không bằng phẳng: Not flat, uneven.
• Xóc (colloquial for ride/experience): Bumpy (e.g., a bumpy ride - ).
• Gồ ghề: Rugged, rough (often for terrain or surfaces).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Cuộc sống không phải lúc nào cũng bằng phẳng, mà có lúc gập ghềnh": Life is not always smooth; sometimes it's bumpy. This is a common saying rather than a fixed idiom, using the word directly to illustrate life's hardships.

adj

1. rough ; rocky ; bumpy