leo kheo
Definition
- Adjective:
- Tall and thin, lanky: Describes a person or object that is notably tall and slender, often with a connotation of being awkwardly or unattractively thin.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ta trông rất leo kheo sau trận ốm. (He looks very tall and thin after his illness.)
- Cái cây leo kheo mọc một mình trên đồi. (The lanky tree grows alone on the hill.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to imply weakness or fragility: The term can sometimes carry an implication that the tall, thin build is associated with a lack of strength or robustness.
- Dáng người leo kheo khiến cậu ấy có vẻ yếu ớt. (His lanky build makes him seem frail.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lèo khèo (Adjective): A common variant spelling and pronunciation with the same meaning.
- Thằng bé lớn nhanh quá, giờ chỉ thấy lèo khèo. (The boy grew so fast, now he's just tall and lanky.)
Synonyms
- Cao gầy: Tall and skinny.
- Dài ngoẵng: Very tall and thin (can sound more informal or slightly negative).
- Lêu nghêu: Lanky, tall and thin in a way that seems disproportionate (often used for objects like poles).
Antonyms
- Lùn mập: Short and chubby.
- Vạm vỡ: Burly, sturdy, and muscular.
Notes on Usage
- Register: The word "leo kheo" (and its variant "lèo khèo") is primarily used in informal, colloquial Vietnamese.
- Connotation: It is generally a neutral descriptive term but can have a slightly negative or pitying connotation depending on context, suggesting an awkward or unhealthy thinness rather than an elegant slenderness. The more elegant term for "slender" is "mảnh mai" or "thon thả".