Definition

1. Adjective:
   • In a very bad or dilapidated condition: Describes something, typically a physical object or place, that is severely deteriorated, decayed, or falling apart due to age, neglect, or poverty.
   • Wretched or miserable: Describes a state or condition that is extremely poor, shabby, or pitiable.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ngôi nhà cũ kỹ trông thật tồi tàn. (The old house looks truly dilapidated.)
  • Khu phố này đã trở nên tồi tàn sau chiến tranh. (This neighborhood has become wretched after the war.)
  • Đồ đạc tồi tàn không đáng một xu. (The shabby furniture isn't worth a cent.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe abstract concepts like morality or spirit in a severely degraded state.
  • Đạo đức xã hội đang ở trong một tình trạng tồi tàn. (The social morality is in a wretched state.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tồi (adj): Bad, poor (in quality), often less severe than "tồi tàn".
  • Chất lượng tồi. (Poor quality.)
• Tàn tạ (adj): Fading, withering, declining (often used for plants or beauty).
  • Vẻ đẹp tàn tạ. (Fading beauty.)

Synonyms

• Dilapidated: In a state of disrepair or ruin.
• Ramshackle: In a state of severe disrepair.
• Wretched: In a very unhappy or poor state.
• Shabby: In poor condition from long use.

Related Idioms

• Tồi tàn nghiệp chướng: Wretched and karmic (describing a pitiable state seen as a result of bad karma).
  • Số phận tồi tàn nghiệp chướng. (A wretched, karmic fate.)