Definition

1. Verb:

   • To be dying / to be on the point of death: The primary meaning of "hấp hối" describes the final moments of life, the state of being in the process of dying. It implies the person is very close to death.
   • To be moribund: A more formal or medical term for being at the point of death.

2. Noun (derived from the verb):

   • Death agony / death throes: Refers to the physical struggles or the final moments just before death.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bà cụ đang hấp hối trên giường bệnh. (The old woman is dying on the sickbed.)
  • Bác sĩ nói bệnh nhân chỉ còn hấp hối. (The doctor said the patient is only lingering on the point of death.)
• Noun:
  • Sự hấp hối của ông ấy kéo dài nhiều giờ. (His death agony lasted for many hours.)

Advanced Usage

• "Phút hấp hối": The final moments of life; the deathbed moment.
  • Trong phút hấp hối, ông ấy vẫn nghĩ về gia đình. (In his final moments, he still thought of his family.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lâm chung (v/phr): A more formal or literary term meaning to be approaching one's end, to be in extremis.
  • Người bệnh đã ở giai đoạn lâm chung. (The patient has entered the terminal stage.)
• Hấp hối trăn trối (idiomatic phrase): Often used together to describe the state of dying while struggling to utter last words or wishes.

Synonyms

• To be dying: The most common general synonym.
• To be at death's door: An idiomatic expression for being very close to death.
• To be in extremis: A formal, often legal or medical, term for being at the point of death.

Related Idioms

• Hơi tàn lực kiệt: (Breath exhausted, strength drained) Describes a state of complete exhaustion, often used metaphorically but can relate to the final weakness before death.
  • Sau trận ốm, ông ấy như người hơi tàn lực kiệt. (After the illness, he was like a person whose breath and strength were completely drained.)

verb

1. to be about to die; to be moribund
   • sự hấp hối
     death agony