Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Torn, ripped: Describes an object, typically made of a flexible material like paper, fabric, or leather, that has been damaged, resulting in a hole, split, or separation of its parts. It indicates a state of being damaged by tearing.
   • Tattered, in tatters: Describes something, especially clothing, that is old, worn out, and has many tears or holes, often implying a state of disrepair or poverty.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tờ giấy này bị rách rồi. (This piece of paper is torn.)
  • Anh ấy mặc một chiếc áo sơ mi cũ rách. (He is wearing an old, torn shirt.)
  • Túi ni lông rất dễ rách. (Plastic bags tear very easily.)

Advanced Usage

• "nát như tương": An idiom meaning "torn to shreds" or "completely destroyed/pulverized."
  • Sau trận bão, nhiều mái nhà bị nát như tương. (After the storm, many roofs were torn to shreds.)
• "rách bươm": A colloquial intensifier meaning "very torn" or "full of holes," often used for clothing.
  • Quần của nó mặc đã rách bươm. (His pants are completely full of holes/tattered.)

Variants and Related Words

• Làm rách (verb phrase): To tear, to rip (something). This is a verb phrase where "làm" (to make/do) combines with the adjective "rách."
  • Cẩn thận kẻo làm rách sách. (Be careful not to tear the book.)
• Chỗ rách (noun phrase): The tear, the ripped spot. This is a noun phrase where "chỗ" (spot) specifies the location of the adjective "rách."
  • Hãy khâu lại chỗ rách trên quần. (Sew up the tear on the pants.)
• Rách nát (adjective): Torn and tattered, thoroughly damaged by tearing.
  • Lá cờ bay trong gió bão trông rách nát. (The flag flying in the storm looked torn and tattered.)

Synonyms

• Thủng: Has a hole (can be from tearing, piercing, or wear).
• Toạc: Torn open, ripped apart (often implies a larger, more violent tear).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Rách toạc: To be ripped wide open.
  • Túi hàng rách toạc, đồ đạc rơi ra ngoài. (The shopping bag ripped wide open, and the items fell out.)
• Rách tả tơi: To be torn to pieces, utterly tattered.
  • Chiếc ô rách tả tơi sau cơn gió mạnh. (The umbrella was torn to pieces after the strong wind.)

Related Idioms

• "Ăn mặc rách rưới": To be dressed in rags/tattered clothing.
  • Cậu bé ăn mặc rách rưới đứng trước cửa hàng. (The boy dressed in rags stood in front of the store.)
• "Nghèo rớt mồng tơi": An idiom meaning "extremely poor." While not containing "rách," it describes a state often associated with wearing torn clothes.
  • Gia đình họ trước đây nghèo rớt mồng tơi. (Their family was extremely poor in the past.)

adj

1. torn
   • giấy rách
     a torn piece of paper