phệ phệ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Chubby, plump, somewhat fat: A descriptive word, often used in a friendly or endearing manner, to indicate that a person, particularly a child or a loved one, has a round, full, and soft physique. It carries a connotation of cuteness and health rather than negative criticism.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Em bé có đôi má phệ phệ rất dễ thương. (The baby has very cute chubby cheeks.)
- Sau Tết, ai trông cũng phệ phệ một chút. (After Tet holiday, everyone looks a little plumper.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often reduplicated ("phệ phệ") to soften the meaning, making it sound more affectionate and less blunt than the single adjective "phệ" (fat). It is commonly used in casual, familiar contexts.
Variants and Related Words
Phệ (adj): Fat, chubby. A more direct and less softened form.
- Con mèo nhà tôi hơi phệ. (My cat is a bit fat.)
Mập mạp (adj): Plump, stout. A synonym with a similarly neutral-to-positive tone.
- Đứa trẻ nào cũng trông mập mạp và khỏe mạnh. (Every child looks plump and healthy.)
Béo tròn (adj): Round and fat, often used endearingly.
- Cô bé với khuôn mặt béo tròn. (The little girl with a round, chubby face.)
Synonyms
- Chubby: Slightly fat in a pleasant way, especially used for children.
- Plump: Having a full, rounded shape.
- Rotund: Round or spherical in shape.
Related Idioms
- Phệ như heo: As fat as a pig. This is a colloquial and potentially rude comparison, unlike the endearing "phệ phệ."
- Ăn nhiều thế, rồi sẽ phệ như heo đấy. (Eat so much, and you'll become as fat as a pig.)