nhàu nát
Definition
- Adjective:
- Very crumpled and creased: Describes an object, typically made of thin, flexible material like paper or fabric, that has been crushed, folded, or pressed in a way that creates many deep, untidy wrinkles, often to the point of being damaged or losing its original smooth form.
- Figuratively, worn out and disheveled: Used to describe a person's appearance, spirit, or state as looking extremely tired, exhausted, or emotionally drained, as if physically crumpled.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tờ giấy nhàu nát trong túi quần. (The paper was very crumpled and creased in the pants pocket.)
- Sau trận mưa, tấm bản đồ trở nên nhàu nát. (After the rain, the map became very crumpled and creased.)
- Anh ấy trông nhàu nát sau một tuần làm việc căng thẳng. (He looked worn out and disheveled after a week of stressful work.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "nhàu nát" is stronger than just "nhàu" (crumpled). It implies a more severe state of crumpling, often suggesting the object is nearly ruined or its form is significantly compromised.
- It can be used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts like plans or hopes that have been completely ruined or crushed.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhàu (adj): crumpled, creased. A less severe state than "nhàu nát".
- Chiếc áo sơ mi hơi nhàu. (The shirt is slightly crumpled.)
- Vò nhàu (v): to crumple, to scrunch up.
- Cậu bé vò nhàu tờ giấy. (The boy crumpled the paper.)
Synonyms
- Crumpled: Pressed into irregular folds.
- Creased: Marked with lines or wrinkles.
- Rumpled: Disordered and creased.
- Disheveled (for appearance): Untidy, disordered.
Related Idioms
- Nát như tương: (Literally: crushed like fermented bean paste) An idiom meaning completely crushed or smashed to pieces, sometimes used similarly to emphasize a state of ruin.
- Chiếc xe sau tai nạn nát như tương. (The car after the accident was completely smashed to pieces.)