Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Blocked, clogged, obstructed: Describes a state where something is stuck or impeded, preventing normal flow or passage.
   • Choked up: Often used to describe nasal congestion or emotional blockage.

2. Verb:

   • To click (one's tongue): To make a short, sharp sound with the tongue against the roof of the mouth, often to express regret, disapproval, or sympathy.
   • (Vulgar/Slang) To fail, to draw a blank (in an exam): To be unable to answer; to fail a subject or question.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Đường phố bị tắc nghẽn vì tai nạn. (The street is blocked due to an accident.)
  • Tôi bị cảm, mũi tắc hoàn toàn. (I have a cold, my nose is completely clogged.)
  • Công việc đang tắc ở khâu kiểm duyệt. (The work is stuck at the approval stage.)

• Verb:

  • Ông ấy tắc lưỡi tỏ vẻ tiếc nuối. (He clicked his tongue to show regret.)
  • (Slang) Nó tắc môn Lịch sử rồi. (He failed the History subject.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tắc tị": Completely blocked or stuck; often used for traffic or a deadlock in a situation.

  • Giao thông tắc tị cả tiếng đồng hồ. (The traffic was completely gridlocked for an hour.)

• "Tắc tử": To be in an impossible situation with no way out; a dead end.

  • Vụ án rơi vào thế tắc tử, không tìm ra manh mối. (The case hit a dead end with no clues found.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tắc nghẽn (adj/n): Congestion, blockage (often for traffic or arteries).
  • Tắc nghẽn giao thông (Traffic congestion)
• Tắc trách (adj): Irresponsible, negligent in one's duties.
  • Thái độ làm việc tắc trách (An irresponsible work attitude)
• Tắc kè (n): Gecko (a type of lizard). (Note: This is a distinct noun, not a variant of the adjective/verb 'tắc').

Synonyms

• Adjective (Blocked): (clogged), (deadlocked), (stagnant).
• Verb (Click tongue): (to smack one's lips, similar expression).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Tắc thở: To choke, to suffocate; can be literal or figurative (e.g., from emotion).
  • Nghe tin ấy, bà ấy suýt tắc thở. (Hearing that news, she almost choked [from emotion].)
• Tắc tiếng: To lose one's voice; to be speechless.
  • Hát nhiều quá, cô ấy bị tắc tiếng. (She sang too much and lost her voice.)

Related Idioms

• Bế tắc: A deadlock; an impasse with no solution in sight.
  • Cuộc đàm phán rơi vào thế bế tắc. (The negotiations reached a deadlock.)
• Tắc trách hữu danh vô thực: A phrase criticizing nominal or superficial responsibility without real action.

adj

1. choked up, blocked up

verb

1. to click (one's tongue)