Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Utterly crushed or smashed: Describes something physically broken down into very small, unrecognizable pieces, often beyond repair.
   • Completely ruined or in total disarray: Refers to a situation, plan, or system that has failed completely or is in a state of extreme chaos and dysfunction.
   • Utterly divided and confused: Describes a group or organization torn apart by severe internal conflict, dissent, and disorder.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chiếc xe sau tai nạn đã nát bét. (The car was utterly crushed after the accident.)
  • Kế hoạch kinh doanh đó giờ đã nát bét. (That business plan is now completely ruined.)
  • Nội bộ công ty đang nát bét vì những mâu thuẫn. (The company's internal situation is utterly divided because of conflicts.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used figuratively to emphasize a state of total failure or collapse, more severe than just "nát" (broken).
• Can describe abstract concepts like morale, unity, or order being completely shattered.
  • Tinh thần đội bóng tan nát bét sau chuỗi trận thua. (The team's morale was utterly shattered after a series of losses.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nát (adj): Broken, smashed, ruined (less severe than "nát bét").
  • Quyển sách bị ướt nát. (The book got wet and ruined.)
• Tan nát (adj): Shattered, heartbroken (often used for emotions or physical destruction).
  • Cô ấy có một trái tim tan nát. (She has a shattered heart.)

Synonyms

• Shattered: Broken violently into pieces; utterly defeated or destroyed.
• Ruined: In a state of complete collapse or disrepair.
• Chaotic: In a state of complete confusion and disorder.

Related Idioms

• Nát như tương: Literally "crushed like fermented soybean paste"; means something is completely mashed or pulverized.
  • Củ khoai lang bị luộc quá nhừ, nát như tương. (The sweet potato was boiled too long, mashed to a pulp.)
• Tan tành nát bét: An intensified phrase meaning "completely and utterly destroyed."
  • Căn nhà cũ sau cơn bão tan tành nát bét. (The old house was completely and utterly destroyed after the storm.)

1. Utterly divided, very confused
   • Tình hình nội bộ địch nát bét
     Enemy were utterly divided; the enemy were torn by internal dissensions