Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Coarse, crude, or lacking refinement: Describes something that appears rough, unrefined, or aesthetically displeasing due to a lack of elegance, sophistication, or fine quality.
   • To be deterred or to give up permanently out of fear: Describes a state of being so frightened or chastened by a negative experience that one completely abandons a related behavior for life.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Coarse):
  • Vải này trông kệch lắm. (This cloth looks very coarse.)
  • Nét mặt kệch. (Coarse features.)
• Adjective (Deterred):
  • Kệch đến già. (To give up for all the rest of one's life. / To be scared off for good.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to criticize the quality or appearance of objects, materials, or even manners, implying a rustic, vulgar, or tasteless quality.
• In its deterrent sense, it conveys a strong, lifelong psychological impact resulting from a scare or lesson.

Variants and Related Words

• Cạch: A variant form of "kệch" with identical meanings, often used in the phrase "cạch đến già."

Synonyms

• Coarse: Rough, unrefined in texture or manner.
• Crude: Lacking grace, tact, or sophistication.
• Gauche: Lacking social grace; awkward.
• Deterred: Discouraged or prevented from acting.

Related Idioms

• Kệch đến già / Cạch đến già: An idiom meaning to be permanently scared off or to swear off something for life due to a bad experience.
  • Một lần bị bỏng, nó kệch đến già không dám nghịch lửa. (Once burned, he was scared off for good and didn't dare play with fire.)

1. (như cạch) (Kệch đến già) To give up for all the rest of one's life
2. Coarse
   • Vải này trông kệch lắm
     This cloth seems pretty coarse
   • Nét mặt kệch
     Coarse features