mèm
Definition
- Adjective (descriptive particle):
- Extremely, utterly, completely: Used as an intensifier following an adjective to denote a very high degree or a state of exhaustion. It often carries a colloquial tone and implies the subject is worn out, depleted, or in an extreme state.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông ấy say mèm. (He is utterly drunk.)
- Đứa trẻ đói mèm. (The child is extremely hungry.)
- Chiếc xe này cũ mèm. (This car is extremely old.)
Advanced Usage
- "mèm" as a suffix: It functions almost exclusively as a suffix attached to a limited set of adjectives (e.g., say, đói, cũ, mệt) to amplify their meaning. It is not used independently.
Variants and Related Words
- Nát bét (adj): smashed to pieces, utterly destroyed (can be used similarly as an intensifier for a state of ruin).
- Cái bánh bị nát bét. (The cake was completely smashed.)
Synonyms
- Completely: in every way or to the fullest extent.
- Utterly: completely and without qualification.
- Totally: in a complete manner.
Related Idioms
Say bí tỉ: dead drunk (similar intensifying idiom for drunkenness).
- Anh ta về nhà say bí tỉ. (He came home dead drunk.)
Mệt nhoài: completely exhausted.
- Làm việc cả ngày, tôi mệt nhoài. (Working all day, I am completely exhausted.)