già sọm
Definition
- Adjective:
- Old and decrepit; prematurely aged and withered: Describes a person who appears old, frail, and worn out, often before their expected time, due to hardship, illness, or a difficult life.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông ấy trông già sọm sau nhiều năm vất vả. (He looks old and decrepit after many years of hardship.)
- Căn bệnh khiến bà cụ trở nên già sọm. (The illness made the old woman become prematurely aged and withered.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "già sọm" carries a stronger, more vivid, and often more negative connotation than simply "già" (old). It emphasizes a state of physical decline, exhaustion, and a loss of vitality, suggesting a person is not just aged but also worn down.
Variants and Related Words
- Già nua (adj): Old and worn (less intense than "già sọm").
- Héo hon (adj): Withered, shriveled (often used for plants, but can be used metaphorically for people).
- Lão hóa (v/n): To age; aging (a more neutral, general term).
Synonyms
- Decrepit: Weakened or worn out by age or illness.
- Withered: Shriveled or wrinkled with age.
- Worn-out: Exhausted and showing the effects of strain.
Related Idioms
- Già trước tuổi: To be old before one's time. This idiom shares the concept of premature aging but focuses more on the timing than the physical state of decay implied by "già sọm".
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Old and decrepit
