Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slow-witted; dull: Describes a person who is slow to understand, learn, or remember things; lacking quickness of mind.
   • Unintelligent; dim: A more direct term for someone perceived to have low intelligence or poor comprehension.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nó bị cô giáo chê là tối dạ. (He was criticized by the teacher for being slow-witted.)
  • Đừng có tối dạ như thế! (Don't be so dim!)
  • Học sinh tối dạ thường cần nhiều thời gian hơn để tiếp thu bài. (A slow-witted student often needs more time to absorb the lesson.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in educational or scolding contexts to express frustration with someone's lack of understanding or progress.
• It can be considered harsh or derogatory. Using it directly to describe someone can be offensive.

Variants and Related Words

• Đần độn (adj): Mentally slow; foolish; simple-minded. (Often stronger and more offensive than ).
• Chậm hiểu (adj): Slow to understand. (A more neutral and descriptive phrase).
• Kém thông minh (adj): Less intelligent. (A direct, descriptive phrase).

Synonyms

• Slow-witted
• Dull
• Dim
• Unintelligent
• Obtuse

Related Idioms

• Đầu óc tối tăm: Literally "a dark mind," meaning a confused or unintelligent mind.
  • Nói mãi không hiểu, đầu óc tối tăm quá! (I've explained repeatedly and you still don't understand, your mind is so dim!)