Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Withered and shriveled: Describes something, typically a plant or leaf, that has lost all moisture, vitality, and freshness, becoming dry, curled up, and lifeless. It emphasizes a state of complete desiccation and contortion.
   • Figuratively, listless and exhausted: Used to describe a person who is extremely tired, lacking energy, or appears physically and mentally drained, as if their vitality has withered away.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau đợt nắng hạn, cả cánh đồng hoa đều héo queo. (After the drought, the entire flower field was withered and shriveled.)
  • Làm việc liên tục 12 tiếng, tôi cảm thấy người héo queo. (After working for 12 hours straight, I felt completely drained and listless.)
  • Những chiếc lá rơi xuống đất đã héo queo. (The leaves that fell to the ground were already shrivelled up.)

Advanced Usage

• Used for emphasis: The word "queo" (shriveled, curled) intensifies "héo" (withered), creating a vivid image of extreme dryness and deformation. It's stronger than just "héo".
• Metaphorical use for non-living things: Can be used metaphorically to describe things that have lost their vigor or appeal.
  • Kế hoạch của họ đã héo queo từ trong trứng nước. (Their plan withered and died from the very beginning.)

Variants and Related Words

• Héo (adj): Withered. A more general term for something that has dried up and lost freshness.
  • Cây cối héo vì thiếu nước. (The plants withered due to lack of water.)
• Héo hắt (adj): Withered and desolate. Often carries a more emotional or melancholic connotation, describing a scene or feeling of bleakness.
  • Khu vườn trông thật héo hắt trong mùa đông. (The garden looked so desolate in winter.)
• Queo quắt (adj): Twisted, gnarled. Focuses more on the physical state of being bent or twisted out of shape, often due to dryness or age.

Synonyms

• Khô héo (adj): Dry and withered.
• Tàn tạ (adj): Fading, decaying, waning (often for plants or beauty).
• Rũ rượi (adj): Drooping, limp, languid (often from exhaustion).

Related Idioms

• (Cười) héo queo: To give a forced, weak, or lifeless smile.
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ấy chỉ cười héo queo. (Upon hearing that news, he could only manage a wan smile.)
• Héo queo như lá bạc hà: (Simile) As withered as a mint leaf. Emphasizes something being completely dried out and curled up.