tắc
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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.
verb
- to click (one's tongue)