lọm khọm
Definition
- Adjective:
- Decrepit; very old and frail: Describes a person, typically elderly, who is extremely aged, weak, and bent with age, often moving with difficulty.
- Rickety; broken-down: Can describe an object that is old, shaky, and in poor condition, though this usage is less common.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông cụ bước đi lọm khọm trên con đường làng. (The old man walked decrepitly down the village road.)
- Chiếc ghế lọm khọm đó sắp gãy rồi. (That rickety chair is about to break.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "lọm khọm" is often used in a descriptive, somewhat vivid or literary context to paint a clear image of advanced physical decline due to age. It carries a stronger connotation of physical fragility than simply "già" (old).
Variants and Related Words
- Lom khom (adj): This is a common variant with the same meaning, describing a stooped or bent-over posture, often due to age or carrying a heavy load.
- Bà lão lom khom nhặt rau. (The old woman stooped over to pick vegetables.)
Synonyms
- Decrepit: Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
- Feeble: Weak, especially due to age or illness.
- Rickety: Weak in the joints and likely to break.
- Frailty: The condition of being weak and delicate.
Related Idioms
- While "lọm khọm" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in descriptive phrases like "già lọm khọm" (decrepit with age) to emphasize extreme old age and frailty.