phè

Thân thiện

Một người đàn ông ngồi trước một bàn ăn đầy phè những món ngon.

Definition

1. Adverb (used as an intensifier):
   • Excessively, utterly, completely: "phè" is a particle placed after certain adjectives to intensify their meaning, adding a sense of being over the top, excessive, or to the fullest extent. It is similar to English intensifiers like "dead" (e.g., dead tired), "utterly", or "completely".

Usage

• Position: "phè" is always used after the adjective it modifies. It cannot stand alone.
• Function: It emphasizes the extreme degree of the adjective's quality.
• Common Collocations: It is typically used with a limited set of adjectives describing states like fullness, boredom, or unreasonableness.

Usage Examples

• Đầy phè: To be excessively full, to be brimful.
  • Bát cơm đầy phè. (The rice bowl is completely full / brimful.)
• Chán phè: To be excessively dull, to be completely fed up.
  • Tôi chán phè công việc này rồi. (I am utterly fed up with this job.)
• Ngang phè: To be utterly unreasonable, extremely stubborn/obstinate.
  • Anh ta thật là ngang phè! (He is so completely unreasonable!)

Advanced Usage

• "phè phè" (reduplicated form): This is a reduplicated form of "phè" that carries an even stronger, more emphatic meaning.
  • Ngang phè phè: To be totally and utterly unreasonable.

    • Lý lẽ của cô ấy ngang phè phè. (Her argument is completely and utterly unreasonable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phè phè: The reduplicated, emphatic form of "phè". It functions identically but with increased intensity.
• Note: "Phè" itself is not a standalone word. It exists almost exclusively in these fixed adverbial phrases.

Synonyms (for the intensifying function)

• Quá: Too, overly. (e.g., = too full). "Phè" is more colloquial and emphatic than "quá".
• Vô cùng: Extremely, immensely. (e.g., = extremely bored). "Vô cùng" is more formal.
• Cực kỳ: Extremely. (e.g., = extremely unreasonable). "Cực kỳ" is also more standard.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Chán như gián (phè): An idiom meaning "to be extremely bored". The "phè" can be added for extra emphasis, though the idiom is common without it.
  • Ngồi một mình chán như gián phè. (Sitting alone is dead boring.)

Notes on Meaning

• Specificity: "Phè" does not have multiple meanings. Its sole function is as an intensifying adverb particle.
• Register: The word is informal and colloquial, commonly used in spoken Vietnamese for emphasis. It is rarely used in formal writing.

Học thuật

1. Excessively
   • Đầy phè
     To be excessively full, to be brimful
   • Chán phè
     To be excessively dull, to be complettely fed up
   • Phè phè (láy, ý tăng)