Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To deteriorate, to decline: To become progressively worse in quality, condition, value, or ability. It describes a noticeable downward trend or weakening from a previous state.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Sức khỏe của ông ấy đã sút kém đi nhiều sau trận ốm. (His health has deteriorated a lot after the illness.)
  • Chất lượng dịch vụ tại khách sạn này đang sút kém. (The service quality at this hotel is declining.)
  • Kết quả học tập của nó sút kém vì lười ôn bài. (His academic results have declined because he is lazy to review his lessons.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "sút kém" often implies a comparison to a former, better standard or state. It is frequently used to discuss intangible qualities like health, skills, performance, or morale, but can also apply to tangible things.

Variants and Related Words

• Suy giảm (v): to diminish, to decrease (often used for abstract concepts like strength, influence, or value).
• Thoái hóa (v): to degenerate (often used in medical or material contexts, implying a more serious degradation).
• Xuống cấp (v): to degrade, to deteriorate (often used for infrastructure, quality, or living standards).

Synonyms

• Deteriorate: to become progressively worse.
• Decline: to decrease in quality, power, or vigor.
• Worsen: to make or become worse.
• Degenerate: to decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally.

Related Idioms

• While "sút kém" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is conceptually related to expressions describing decline, such as "xuống dốc không phanh" (to go downhill without brakes - to decline rapidly and uncontrollably).

1. deteriorate, to decline