nát vụn
Definition
- Adjective/Adjectival Phrase:
- Completely crushed/broken into tiny pieces: Describes an object that has been shattered, ground, or crushed so thoroughly that it is reduced to very small fragments or powder.
- Figuratively, utterly devastated or shattered: Used to describe a state of being emotionally or psychologically broken down completely.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chiếc bánh quy bị vỡ nát vụn trong hộp. (The cookie was completely crushed into crumbs in the box.)
- Sau trận động đất, nhiều tòa nhà tan nát vụn. (After the earthquake, many buildings were shattered into rubble.)
- Tin đó làm tan nát vụn trái tim cô ấy. (That news utterly shattered her heart.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used with verbs like "tan" (to disintegrate), "vỡ" (to break), "nghiền" (to grind), or "đập" (to smash) to emphasize the completeness of the destruction.
- Hãy nghiền nát vụn tỏi trước khi cho vào chảo. (Crush the garlic completely into tiny pieces before putting it in the pan.)
Variants and Related Words
Tan nát (adj): shattered, devastated (often used for emotions or structures).
- Cô ấy cảm thấy tan nát sau cuộc chia tay. (She felt devastated after the breakup.)
Vụn (adj/n): crumbly, in crumbs; a small fragment.
- Bánh mì khô vụn. (Dry, crumbly bread.)
Synonyms
- Shattered: broken into many pieces.
- Pulverized: reduced to fine particles or powder.
- Crumbled: broken into small fragments.
- Devastated: completely emotionally destroyed.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Tan nát vụn như tương: To be smashed to a pulp (literally, "like soybean paste").
- Chiếc xe sau vụ tai nạn tan nát vụn như tương. (The car after the accident was smashed to a pulp.)
Nát vụn như bã mía: To be crushed completely (literally, "like sugarcane bagasse").
- Giấc mơ của anh ta nát vụn như bã mía. (His dreams were crushed completely.)