sút kém
Definition
- Adjective:
- To decline / to deteriorate: Describes a state of becoming worse, lower, or weaker compared to a previous condition. It refers to a reduction in quality, ability, intensity, or level.
- To diminish / to wane: Indicates a decrease in strength, influence, or capacity.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Sức khỏe của ông ấy đã sút kém nhiều. (His health has deteriorated a lot.)
- Chất lượng dịch vụ tại khách sạn này bị sút kém. (The service quality at this hotel has declined.)
- Ảnh hưởng chính trị của đảng đó đang sút kém. (The political influence of that party is waning.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe abstract qualities like health, morale, memory, performance, quality, or influence.
- Tinh thần làm việc sút kém sau tin đồn. (Work morale deteriorated after the rumors.)
- Kỹ năng chuyên môn có thể sút kém nếu không luyện tập. (Professional skills can diminish if not practiced.)
Variants and Related Words
Suy giảm (v): to decline, to diminish. Often used in more formal or technical contexts.
- Sự suy giảm kinh tế. (Economic decline.)
Giảm sút (v/n): to decrease, to drop; a decrease. Can be used similarly, often focusing on a measurable drop.
- Lợi nhuận giảm sút. (Profits decreased.)
Synonyms
- Deteriorate: to become progressively worse.
- Decline: to decrease in quality, quantity, or strength.
- Wane: to decrease in vigor, power, or extent.
- Diminish: to make or become less.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Sút kém tinh thần: a decline in morale.
- Đội bóng chơi sút kém tinh thần sau bàn thua. (The team played with diminished morale after conceding a goal.)
Sút kém trí nhớ: failing memory / memory that is declining.
- Người cao tuổi thường than phiền về việc sút kém trí nhớ. (Elderly people often complain about failing memory.)