Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In utter disarray; scattered in chaotic confusion: Describes a state where things or people are dispersed in a disorderly, panicked manner, each going in a different direction.

Usage

• Tan tác is used to describe the state of a group being broken up and fleeing or scattering in complete disorder, often as a result of a sudden attack, shock, or fear.
• It emphasizes the chaotic and widespread nature of the dispersal.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Quân địch bị đánh tan tác. (The enemy troops were utterly routed and scattered.)
  • Đàn chim hoảng sợ bay tan tác. (The flock of birds scattered in panic.)
  • Tin đồn khiến mọi người chạy tan tác. (The rumor caused people to flee in all directions.)

Advanced Usage

• "bị đánh tan tác": to be utterly defeated and scattered.
  • Đội bóng đối thủ bị đánh tan tác với tỉ số 5-0. (The opposing football team was utterly thrashed with a score of 5-0.)
• "chạy tan tác": to run off/scatter in disarray.
  • Khi còi báo động vang lên, đám đông chạy tan tác. (When the alarm sounded, the crowd scattered in disarray.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tan (verb): to dissolve, to disperse, to break up.
  • Mây tan. (The clouds disperse.)
• Tác (This character is almost exclusively used in the compound tan tác to form this specific adverb).
• Tan hoang (adj/adv): devastated, in ruins (often for places or property).
  • Thành phố bị tàn phá tan hoang. (The city was left devastated.)
• Tán loạn (adj/adv): in chaotic flight, fleeing in disorder (similar to tan tác).
  • Bọn cướp bỏ của chạy tán loạn. (The robbers dropped their loot and fled in chaos.)

Synonyms

• Lộn xộn (adj/adv): messy, disorderly (less intense, more general).
• Hỗn loạn (adj/adv): chaotic, tumultuous.
• Tơi bời (adj/adv): tattered, in shreds; utterly defeated (can be used similarly in a military/competitive context).

Related Idioms

• "Tan đàn xẻ nghé": Literally "the herd disperses, the calves separate." Figuratively means a family or group is broken up and scattered.
  • Chiến tranh khiến nhiều gia đình tan đàn xẻ nghé. (The war caused many families to be broken up and scattered.)
• "Tan tành như xác pháo": Literally "scattered like firecracker debris." Means to be completely shattered or destroyed.
  • Chiếc bình rơi xuống đất tan tành như xác pháo. (The vase fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.)

adv. in utter disarray