Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Puny, tiny, very small: Used to describe a person, especially a child, who is unusually small and weak in stature, often with a connotation of disdain or belittlement.
   • Runt, shrimp: Can refer to a small, undersized child.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thằng bé trông thật oắt. (That boy looks so puny/tiny.)
  • Nó oắt thế nhấc sao được cái va li ấy. (He's so tiny/puny, how can he lift that suitcase?)
  • Đừng coi thường thằng oắt ấy, nó rất thông minh. (Don't look down on that little shrimp; he's very smart.)

Advanced Usage

• Used as a noun: While primarily an adjective, "oắt" can sometimes function informally as a noun to refer to a small, puny child.
  • Tụi oắt trong xóm đang chơi đá bóng. (The little runts in the neighborhood are playing soccer.)
• Pejorative/Disparaging tone: The word often carries a mildly derogatory or condescending nuance, implying the subject is insignificantly small or weak. It is more common in spoken, informal Vietnamese.

Variants and Related Words

• Oắt con (n): A more common compound noun meaning a very small child, a little kid. (Note: This is a compound and not the target word alone).
  • Mấy đứa oắt con chạy lon ton trong sân. (The little kids are running around in the yard.)
• Nhỏ oắt (adj phrase): An emphatic phrase meaning "extremely small."
  • Cô bé nhỏ oắt nhưng hát rất hay. (The girl is extremely tiny but sings very well.)

Synonyms

• Bé tí: Very small, tiny (less derogatory).
• Nhỏ xíu: Extremely small (neutral).
• Còi cọc: Stunted, underdeveloped (emphasizes poor growth).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• (Chưa) thoát khỏi tuổi oắt con: (Has not yet) outgrown the age of being a little kid; still very young and immature.
  • Nó vẫn chưa thoát khỏi tuổi oắt con, đừng trách nó nhiều quá. (He's still just a little kid, don't blame him too much.)

adj

1. puny