Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Scattered; sparse: Describes things or people that are few in number and spread out over an area, creating an impression of scarcity, emptiness, or insignificance. It often implies that the quantity is disappointingly or pitifully small compared to what is expected or needed.
   • Meager; paltry: Can describe something that is trivial, negligible, or of little value or substance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trên bàn chỉ có lèo tèo vài cuốn sách. (On the table, there are only a few scattered books.)
  • Dân cư ở vùng này sống lèo tèo. (The population in this area lives sparsely.)
  • Buổi họp chỉ có lèo tèo mấy người tham dự. (The meeting had only a paltry few attendees.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "lèo tèo" often carries a connotation of criticism, disappointment, or pity regarding the small quantity or poor quality observed. It is not neutral; it evokes a scene that is dull, poor, or lacking vitality.
  • Công việc kinh doanh lèo tèo, chẳng đáng là bao. (The business is meager, not worth much.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thưa thớt (adj): also means sparse or thinly scattered. However, "thưa thớt" is often more neutral, while "lèo tèo" is more colloquial and expressive of inadequacy.

Synonyms

• Sparse: thinly dispersed or scattered.
• Scattered: occurring or found at intervals rather than together.
• Meager: lacking in quantity or quality.
• Paltry: ridiculously or insultingly small.

Related Idioms

• While "lèo tèo" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in descriptive phrases to paint a vivid picture of scarcity.
  • Cửa hàng lèo tèo vài món đồ. (The store has just a pitiful few items.)

adj

1. scattered; sparse