Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Narrow, tight, cramped: Describes a space, area, or passage that is small in width or size, making movement or accommodation difficult or uncomfortable. This is the primary meaning.
   • Limited, restricted: Can describe something (like a viewpoint, opportunity, or condition) that is confined or offers little scope.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Con đường vào làng rất hèm hẹp. (The road into the village is very narrow.)
  • Căn phòng trọ hèm hẹp nhưng rất sạch sẽ. (The rented room is cramped but very clean.)
  • Không gian sống hèm hẹp khiến họ cảm thấy ngột ngạt. (The cramped living space makes them feel stifled.)
  • Cơ hội thăng tiến trong công ty này khá hèm hẹp. (Promotion opportunities in this company are quite limited.)

Advanced Usage

• "hèm hẹp" as a Reduplicative Form (từ láy): This word is a reduplicative form (láy) of the root word "hẹp" (narrow). The reduplication "hèm hẹp" often intensifies the meaning of "hẹp," emphasizing a sense of being uncomfortably, inconveniently, or excessively narrow or tight. It carries a more descriptive and sometimes slightly negative connotation than the single word "hẹp."

Variants and Related Words

• Hẹp (adj): Narrow, tight. The root word.
  • lối đi hẹp (a narrow path)
• Chật hẹp (adj): Cramped, narrow (combining "chật" - tight - and "hẹp").
  • căn nhà chật hẹp (a cramped house)
• Hạn hẹp (adj): Limited, restricted (often used for abstract things like time, resources, possibilities).
  • thời gian hạn hẹp (limited time)
  • tài chính hạn hẹp (limited finances)

Synonyms

• Chật chội (adj): Cramped, crowded.
• Nhỏ hẹp (adj): Small and narrow.
• Bó hẹp (v, adj): To restrict, to limit; restricted, confined (often for abstract concepts).

Antonyms

• Rộng rãi (adj): Spacious, wide.
• Thoáng đãng (adj): Airy, open, spacious.
• Bao la (adj): Vast, immense.

1. xem hẹp (láy)