rệu rạo
Definition
- Adjective:
- Dilapidated; rickety; decrepit: Describes an object, structure, or mechanism that is in a state of severe disrepair, making loose, creaking, or groaning sounds when used or moved due to age, wear, or poor condition.
- Frail; debilitated: Describes a person's health or physical condition that is weak, unstable, and failing.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Object):
- Chiếc ghế rệu rạo. (The chair is rickety.)
- Cầu thang rệu rạo. (The staircase is decrepit.)
- Adjective (Health):
- Sức khỏe rệu rạo. (His/her health is frail.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is onomatopoeic, vividly evoking the creaking, groaning, or clattering sounds produced by something old and loose.
- It can be used metaphorically to describe systems, organizations, or plans that are unstable and on the verge of collapse.
- Nền kinh tế rệu rạo. (The economy is shaky/decrepit.)
Variants and Related Words
- Rệu rã (adj): A variant with a similar meaning, emphasizing a state of falling apart or disintegration.
Synonyms
- Dilapidated: In a state of disrepair or ruin.
- Rickety: Weak and likely to collapse.
- Decrepit: Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
- Frail: Weak and delicate.
Related Idioms
- While "rệu rạo" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, its descriptive power is often used in phrases like:
- Cỗ máy chạy rệu rạo. (The machine runs with a clatter/grinding noise.)
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như xệu xạo
