Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Worn-out, dilapidated, falling apart: Describes something physical that is in a state of severe disrepair, becoming loose, shaky, or about to collapse due to age, overuse, or poor condition.
   • Demoralized, dispirited, in disarray: Describes a group, organization, or a person's spirit that is weakened, lacking cohesion, discipline, or morale, and is on the verge of breaking down.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical State):

  • Chiếc ghế gỗ cũ đã rệu rã. (The old wooden chair was worn-out and shaky.)
  • Cây cầu rệu rã có nguy cơ sập bất cứ lúc nào. (The dilapidated bridge is at risk of collapsing at any moment.)

• Adjective (Mental/Organizational State):

  • Sau nhiều thất bại, tinh thần đội bóng trở nên rệu rã. (After many failures, the football team's spirit became demoralized.)
  • Tổ chức đó hiện nay rất rệu rã. (That organization is now in complete disarray.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "rệu rã" often implies a process of gradual decay or weakening, not just a static state. It suggests something is actively breaking down or falling apart.
• It is commonly used to describe the declining state of armies, institutions, or morale, emphasizing a loss of strength and unity.

Variants and Related Words

• Rã rời (adj): physically exhausted or utterly weary, often used for people.
  • Làm việc 12 tiếng, tôi cảm thấy rã rời. (After working for 12 hours, I felt utterly exhausted.)

Synonyms

• Dilapidated: (for physical objects) in a state of disrepair or ruin.
• Demoralized: having lost confidence or hope; dispirited.
• Shaky: unstable or unsound.
• Decaying: undergoing decomposition or rot.

Related Idioms

• Tinh thần rệu rã: A dispirited/demoralized state of mind.
  • Những tin tức xấu liên tiếp khiến tinh thần mọi người rệu rã. (The consecutive bad news left everyone's morale in tatters.)

1. Wonky, shaky