Definition

1. Adjective (Informal, Humorous):
   • Extremely old, ancient, decrepit: Used to describe a person or thing that is very old, often to an exaggerated or humorous degree, implying frailty, being outdated, or long past its prime.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông cụ đó già cốc rồi, nhưng vẫn minh mẫn lắm. (That old man is extremely ancient, but still very sharp-minded.)
  • Chiếc xe máy này già cốc, chạy ì ạch mãi. (This motorbike is utterly decrepit; it putters along slowly.)
  • Đừng mua cái máy tính già cốc ấy. (Don't buy that ancient computer.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a tone of affectionate teasing or mild disrespect, depending on context. It is not used in formal writing.
• It can be applied to abstract concepts, like ideas or traditions, to label them as hopelessly outdated.
  • Những quan niệm già cốc đó không còn phù hợp nữa. (Those utterly antiquated notions are no longer suitable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Già nua (adj): old, aged (more standard and neutral than "già cốc").
• Cổ lỗ sĩ (adj): antiquated, old-fashioned (often for objects or ideas).
• Lão làng (adj): seasoned, veteran (implies experienced with age, in a positive way).

Synonyms

• Ancient: of great age.
• Decrepit: worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
• Antiquated: old-fashioned or outdated.

Related Idioms

• While "già cốc" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, it functions similarly to English colloquialisms like "old as the hills" or "ready for the scrapheap" when describing objects.