Definition

1. Noun:
   • A narrow gap, crack, or slit: A very small, often thin and elongated, opening or space between two objects or parts of an object.
   • A flaw, loophole, or weakness: A point of vulnerability, an omission, or an imperfection in a system, plan, argument, or defense that can be exploited.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Gap):
  • Ánh sáng lọt qua kẽ hở của bức ván. (Light filtered through the cracks in the wooden plank.)
  • Cần bịt kín mọi kẽ hở trên cửa để muỗi không vào được. (All the gaps around the door must be sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering.)
• Noun (Weakness/Loophole):
  • Luật pháp không được có kẽ hở. (The law must not have any loopholes.)
  • Kẻ gian đã lợi dụng kẽ hở trong hệ thống an ninh. (The criminals exploited a flaw in the security system.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tìm ra kẽ hở": To find a loophole or a weak point.
  • Luật sư cố gắng tìm ra kẽ hở trong lời khai. (The lawyer tried to find a loophole in the testimony.)
• "Kẽ hở pháp lý": A legal loophole.
  • Công ty đó hoạt động thông qua một kẽ hở pháp lý. (That company operates through a legal loophole.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khe hở (n): A gap, an opening (often used interchangeably with for physical gaps, but less commonly for figurative weaknesses).
• Lỗ hổng (n): A hole, a gap, a void. Often used for larger gaps or significant deficiencies (e.g., - a knowledge gap, - a security hole).

Synonyms

• Gap, crack, crevice, slit (for physical openings).
• Loophole, flaw, weakness, vulnerability, chink (in one's armor) (for figurative weaknesses).

Related Idioms

• "Lách kẽ hở": To slip through a loophole; to exploit a gap in the rules.
  • Họ lách kẽ hở của quy định để trốn thuế. (They slipped through a loophole in the regulation to evade taxes.)

noun

1. split; slit; aperture