lẻ bộ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Odd / Unmatched / Mismatched: Describes items, typically a pair, that are not together or are missing their counterpart, resulting in an incomplete set. Often used for shoes, gloves, socks, or other items that normally come in pairs.
- Single / Solitary: Can describe something that is alone or isolated from a group or set.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tôi chỉ tìm thấy một chiếc tất lẻ bộ. (I only found one odd sock.)
- Đôi giày này bị lẻ bộ rồi, không biết chiếc kia ở đâu. (This shoe is unmatched now; I don't know where the other one is.)
- Có một chiếc bát lẻ bộ trong tủ. (There is a solitary bowl in the cupboard.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in the context of lost items, laundry, or organizing belongings, emphasizing the state of being incomplete or separated from a pair or set.
Variants and Related Words
Lẻ loi (adj): lonely, solitary (often for living beings or feelings).
- Cô ấy cảm thấy lẻ loi trong thành phố mới. (She feels lonely in the new city.)
Cọc cạch (adj): mismatched, clashing (often for colors or styles that do not go together).
- Cô ấy mặc quần áo cọc cạch. (She is wearing mismatched clothes.)
Synonyms
- Unpaired: not forming one of a pair.
- Odd: (of an item) single or unmatched.
- Mismatched: not corresponding or fitting together.
Related Idioms
- Lẻ bóng: to be alone, solitary (often with a poetic or slightly sad connotation).
- Ông cụ sống lẻ bóng trong ngôi nhà nhỏ. (The old man lives alone in a small house.)