Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Haggard, exhausted, worn out: "phờ" describes a state of extreme tiredness or fatigue, often to the point of looking drained of energy and spirit. It implies a visible, physical weariness.

Usage

• "Phờ" is used to describe a person's appearance or state after experiencing significant physical or mental strain, such as lack of sleep, overwork, or illness.
• It often appears in the structure "phờ người" (to be completely worn out) or "mệt phờ" (dead tired).
• It is an adjective and typically follows the subject or the verb "trông" (to look).

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đêm không ngủ phờ người. (A sleepless night makes one look haggard.)
  • Sau chuyến đi dài, anh ấy trông thật phờ. (After the long trip, he looks utterly exhausted.)
  • Làm việc cả tuần khiến cô ấy mệt phờ. (Working all week left her dead tired.)

Advanced Usage

• "phờ phạc": This is a more emphatic and common variant, intensifying the meaning of weariness and dishevelment.

  • Sau trận ốm, anh ta trông phờ phạc hẳn. (After the illness, he looks completely worn out and haggard.)

• "phờ người ra": To become completely exhausted or to look utterly spent. The "ra" particle emphasizes the resulting state.

  • Làm việc quá sức khiến tôi phờ người ra. (Overworking made me completely worn out.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phờ phạc (adj): A common compound meaning very haggard, worn out, and often implying a disheveled appearance.
• Mệt phờ (phrase): An idiomatic phrase meaning "dead tired" or "extremely fatigued."

Synonyms

• Kiệt sức (adj): Exhausted, spent.
• Mệt lử (adj): Very tired, dog-tired.
• Rã rời (adj): Weary, limp with fatigue.
• Tơi tả (adj): (Often used for appearance) Disheveled, battered, looking the worse for wear.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Phờ như tàu lá chuối: (As worn out as a banana leaf) – An idiom describing extreme exhaustion and a drooping, lifeless appearance.
  • Làm đồng về dưới cái nắng, ai nấy đều phờ như tàu lá chuối. (Coming back from the field under the sun, everyone was as worn out as a banana leaf.)

1. Haggard
   • Đêm không ngủ phờ người
     To look haggard form a sleeples night