mệt lả
Definition
- Adjective phrase:
- Exhausted to the point of collapse: Describes a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue where one feels weak, drained, and on the verge of being unable to continue. It implies a greater intensity than simply being tired ("mệt").
Usage Examples
- Adjective phrase:
- Làm việc cả ngày dưới nắng, tôi mệt lả. (Working all day under the sun, I am exhausted.)
- Sau trận ốm, cô ấy cảm thấy mệt lả. (After the illness, she felt completely drained.)
- Đội bóng chơi hai hiệp phụ và bây giờ họ mệt lả. (The team played two extra times and now they are dead tired.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase "mệt lả người" is a common variant that emphasizes the physical state of the entire body.
- Công việc chân tay khiến anh ấy mệt lả người mỗi tối. (The manual labor leaves him physically exhausted every evening.)
Variants and Related Words
- Kiệt sức (adj): exhausted, depleted of strength. A close synonym, often with a clinical or formal tone.
- Mệt nhoài (adj): extremely tired, worn out. Similar in intensity to "mệt lả."
- Mệt phờ (adj): dog-tired, so tired one looks wilted.
Synonyms
- Dead tired: completely exhausted.
- Drained: having no energy left.
- Worn out: extremely tired from overuse or exertion.
- Fatigued: a more formal term for extreme tiredness.
Related Idioms
- Mệt đứt hơi: so tired one is out of breath; exhausted from strenuous activity.
- Leo lên đến đỉnh, tôi mệt đứt hơi. (Climbing to the top, I was completely out of breath and exhausted.)