khẳng

Cành cây khô khẳng gãy trong gió.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Dry, brittle, hard but easily broken: Describes an object that is dry, hard, and fragile, lacking moisture and flexibility, so it breaks or cracks easily.
   • Stiff, rigid (of a voice or sound): Describes a voice or sound that is harsh, dry, and lacks resonance or warmth.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cành cây này đã khô khẳng rồi. (This tree branch has become dry and brittle.)
  • Giọng nói của ông ấy nghe khẳng lại vì cảm lạnh. (His voice sounds stiff and hoarse because of a cold.)

Advanced Usage

• "khẳng khiu": (adj) Very thin, skinny, and bony, often describing limbs.
  • Đôi tay khẳng khiu của bà lão. (The old woman's skinny, bony arms.)
• "khô khẳng": (adj) Completely dry and brittle.
  • Mảnh đất khô khẳng không thể trồng trọt. (The parched, dry land cannot be cultivated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khẳng định (v): To affirm, to confirm, to assert. (Note: This is a compound word where "khẳng" is a component, but the meaning is distinct.)
• Khẳng khiu (adj): See "Advanced Usage" above.
• Khô khẳng (adj): See "Advanced Usage" above.

Synonyms

• Giòn (adj): Crisp, brittle (often for food).
• Khô (adj): Dry.
• Cứng (adj): Hard, stiff.

Notes on Usage

• The word "khẳng" is not commonly used in modern everyday Vietnamese on its own. It is primarily found in specific, descriptive contexts or in fixed phrases like "khẳng khiu" or "khô khẳng."
• It is important to distinguish "khẳng" (adj: brittle, stiff) from the much more common verb "khẳng định" (to affirm). They are different words with different meanings.