teo
Definition
- Verb:
- To shrink extremely, to wither, to atrophy: To become significantly smaller, thinner, or weaker, often due to loss of moisture, disease, or lack of use. It implies a state of being shriveled, withered, or atrophied.
- To be utterly/become completely: An intensifier used colloquially before an adjective to mean "extremely," "completely," or "absolutely," often with a negative connotation.
Usage Examples
- Verb (to shrink):
- Trái cây để lâu ngoài không khí sẽ bị teo. (Fruit left out in the air for a long time will shrivel.)
- Cơ bắp không vận động sẽ teo dần. (Muscles that are not used will gradually atrophy.)
- Intensifier (utterly):
- Căn phòng vắng teo, không một bóng người. (The room was completely deserted, without a soul in sight.)
- Nghe tin đó, lòng tôi buồn teo. (Hearing that news, my heart felt utterly sad.)
Advanced Usage
- "teo tóp": To be extremely shriveled or emaciated.
- Bàn tay ông lão teo tóp vì tuổi già. (The old man's hands were withered from old age.)
Variants and Related Words
- Teo đi (verb phrase): To shrink away, to diminish.
- Niềm hy vọng teo đi theo từng ngày. (Hope diminished with each passing day.)
- Teo cơ (noun): Muscle atrophy (medical term).
Synonyms
- Shrink: To become smaller.
- Atrophy: To waste away, especially from lack of use (for body tissue).
- Wither: To become dry and shriveled.
- Completely/Utterly: Totally, absolutely (as an intensifier).
Related Idioms
- Teo gan: (Literally: liver shrinks) To be extremely frightened, to be scared stiff.
- Nhìn thấy cảnh đó, nó teo gan không dám nói gì. (Seeing that scene, he was scared stiff and didn't dare say a word.)
verb
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to shrink extremely, utterly
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