Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly bent, crooked, hooked: Describes an object that is not straight but has a slight curve, bend, or hook shape. It often implies a minor, unintentional, or natural deviation from a straight line.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sợi dây thép khoăm. (A slightly bent piece of wire.)
  • Cái đinh bị khoăm sau khi bị đập. (The nail became crooked after being hammered.)
  • Cành cây khoăm xuống dưới sức nặng của quả. (The tree branch is bent under the weight of the fruit.)

Advanced Usage

• Reduplicated form "khoăm khoăm": This is a reduplicated form (từ láy) that softens the meaning, indicating a very slight or somewhat bent state.
  • Cây thước kẻ này khoăm khoăm, không thẳng hoàn toàn. (This ruler is a little bit bent, not completely straight.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cong (adj): Bent, curved. This is a more general and common term for being bent or curved, while "khoăm" specifically suggests a slight or initial stage of bending.
• Vênh (adj): Warped, twisted. Often used for flat surfaces (like wood) that are no longer flat.
• Quẹo (adj): Crooked, bent at an angle. More colloquial and often implies a sharper bend.

Synonyms

• Hơi cong: Slightly bent.
• Oằn: Bent under pressure, sagging.
• Cong queo: Crooked, twisted (often with a more pronounced or irregular bend).

Notes on Usage

• Register: "Khoăm" is a descriptive word used in everyday language. It is not highly formal but is standard Vietnamese.
• Scope: It is typically used to describe physical objects like wires, nails, sticks, or body parts (e.g., a finger), indicating a minor bend rather than a severe deformation.
• Visual Quality: The word often carries a visual connotation, helping to paint a picture of the object's shape.

1. Slightly bent,crooked, hooked
   • Sợi dây thép khoăm
     A slightly bent piece of wire.
2. (khoăm khoăm) (láy, ý giảm)