Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having little thickness; not thick: Describes an object or material with a very small distance between its two opposite surfaces.
   • Sparse; thin; not dense: Describes something distributed over a wide area with large gaps, such as hair, fog, or a population.
   • (Figurative) Meager; scant; fragile: Describes something abstract that is weak, insufficient, or precarious, such as a person's fortune, luck, or a superficial relationship.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical thickness):
  • Tờ giấy này rất mỏng. (This sheet of paper is very thin.)
  • Cô ấy mặc một chiếc áo mỏng. (She is wearing a thin shirt.)
• Adjective (Sparse distribution):
  • Sương mù buổi sáng đã tan mỏng dần. (The morning fog has thinned out gradually.)
  • Tóc anh ấy bắt đầu mỏng đi. (His hair is starting to thin.)
• Adjective (Figurative - fragility):
  • Phận mỏng, duyên mỏng. (A precarious fate, a frail bond.)

Advanced Usage

• "mỏng manh": fragile, delicate, tenuous (emphasizes vulnerability).
  • Mối quan hệ giữa họ rất mỏng manh. (The relationship between them is very fragile.)
• "mỏng dính": extremely thin, paper-thin (adds emphasis).
  • Lớp sơn phủ mỏng dính. (The coat of paint is paper-thin.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mỏng mảnh (adj): thin and fine, delicate (often for fabrics or abstract concepts).
  • Tấm vải lụa mỏng mảnh. (The piece of silk is delicate and thin.)
• Mỏng tanh (adj): very thin, flimsy (can imply poor quality).
  • Chiếc áo mưa mỏng tanh. (The raincoat is flimsy.)

Synonyms

• Thin: having little thickness.
• Fine: very thin in texture (e.g., fine silk).
• Sparse: thinly dispersed or scattered.
• Flimsy: insubstantial and easily damaged.
• Fragile: easily broken or damaged.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Mặt mỏng: thin-skinned, easily embarrassed or shy.
  • Anh ấy mặt mỏng nên không dám phát biểu. (He is shy, so he doesn't dare to speak up.)
• Dày vò, mỏng mòn: to torment and wear someone down (often used together).
  • Nỗi lo âu dày vò, mỏng mòn sức khỏe của anh. (Anxiety tormented him and wore down his health.)

adj

1. thin; slender; slim
   • quần áo mỏng
     thin clothes