già
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Old; aged: Having lived for a long time; of advanced age.
- Mature; ripe: Fully developed, often past the ideal point for consumption or use (e.g., fruit, vegetables).
- Excessive; too much: Surpassing a normal or intended limit or degree.
Noun:
- An old person: A term of address or reference for an elderly individual.
- Maternal aunt (older than one's mother): In specific kinship contexts, refers to the older sister of one's mother.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Ông ấy đã già. (He is old.)
- Trái xoài này đã già, sắp chín. (This mango is mature, about to ripen.)
- Anh đổ nước nóng già quá! (You poured water that is too hot!)
Noun:
- Các già trong làng rất được kính trọng. (The elders in the village are highly respected.)
- Con chào già. (I greet you, aunt [mother's older sister].)
Advanced Usage
"già đời": Experienced, veteran (due to long time in a profession or state).
- Anh ấy là một thợ mộc già đời. (He is a veteran carpenter.)
"già trước tuổi": To look or seem older than one's actual age.
- Lo nghĩ nhiều khiến anh ấy già trước tuổi. (Worrying a lot makes him look older than his age.)
Variants and Related Words
Già nua (adj): Decrepit, aged and worn out.
- Căn nhà già nua. (The decrepit house.)
Già cả (adj): Elderly, old (often with a connotation of frailty).
- Chăm sóc người già cả. (To care for the elderly.)
Synonyms
- Old: aged, elderly.
- Ripe: mature, overripe.
- Excessive: too much, overdone.
Related Idioms
Già néo đứt dây: Literally "pulling the rope too tight breaks it." Meaning: Being too strict or demanding can ruin things.
- Đừng có già néo đứt dây, hãy cho nó một cơ hội. (Don't be too strict, give him a chance.)
Gà già thịt dai: Literally "an old chicken has tough meat." Meaning: Something old is often less pleasant or effective.
- Mua xe cũ sợ gặp phải gà già thịt dai. (Buying a used car, I'm afraid of getting a lemon [something old and problematic].)
adj
- old; aged; senile
- cô ta có vẻ giàShe is begining to look old