Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Decrepit: Describes a person or thing that is worn out, weakened, or in poor condition due to age, illness, or exhaustion.
   • Emaciated / Gaunt: Specifically refers to a person's face or body appearing extremely thin and weak, often due to sickness, lack of sleep, or severe worry.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông cụ trông già sọm. (The old man looks decrepit.)
  • Thức đêm nhiều, mặt anh ấy sọm hẳn đi. (Staying up many nights, his face became quite gaunt.)
  • Căn nhà sọm vì không được sửa chữa. (The house is decrepit because it hasn't been repaired.)

Advanced Usage

• "sòm sọm": A reduplicated form for emphasis, meaning very emaciated or severely decrepit.
  • Sau trận ốm, bà ấy trông sòm sọm. (After the illness, she looked severely emaciated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hom hem (adj): Gaunt, haggard. A close synonym often used in similar contexts to describe a thin and tired appearance.

Synonyms

• Decrepit: Wasted and weakened by age or illness.
• Emaciated: Abnormally thin or weak, often from illness or malnutrition.
• Gaunt: Lean and haggard, especially from suffering or age.
• Worn-out: Exhausted or used until in poor condition.

Related Idioms

• Sọm người: To become gaunt (in body).
  • Lo lắng quá khiến bà ấy sọm người. (Excessive worry made her become gaunt.)

adj

1. decrepit