thõng thẹo

thõng thẹo

Một cậu bé đi thõng thẹo trên đường về nhà sau một ngày dài.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Limp, drooping, or hanging loosely and weakly: Describes something that is soft, weak, and lacking firmness or tension, often appearing to sag or dangle without energy.
    • Moving or acting in a slow, sluggish, and weak manner: Describes a lethargic, unhurried, and feeble way of moving or behaving.

  2. Adverb:

    • In a limp, sluggish, or weak manner: Used to modify a verb, describing how an action is performed with a lack of vigor, firmness, or speed.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective/Adverb:
    • Cánh tay nó bị thương nên cứ thõng thẹo xuống. (His arm was injured so it just hung limply.)
    • Đứa bé mệt, đi thõng thẹo về nhà. (The tired child walked sluggishly home.)
    • Sợi dây thõng thẹo, không đủ căng. (The rope was slack, not tight enough.)
Advanced Usage
  • The word often carries a connotation of undesirability, suggesting a lack of discipline, energy, or proper form. It is frequently used to describe posture or movement negatively.
  • It can be applied metaphorically to describe non-physical attributes, like a weak argument or a listless performance.
Variants and Related Words
  • Thõng (adj/adv): To hang down loosely, to droop. This is the root component implying a downward, loose hanging.
    • Tóc nó thõng xuống vai. (Her hair hung down loosely over her shoulders.)
  • Lòng thòng (adj/adv): Dangling, trailing loosely. A close synonym often used for long objects that hang down.
    • Dây điện lòng thòng rất nguy hiểm. (The dangling electrical wire is very dangerous.)
Synonyms
  • Limp: Lacking stiffness or firmness.
  • Sluggish: Slow-moving or inactive.
  • Drooping: Bending or hanging down limply.
  • Flaccid: Soft and hanging loosely; limp.
Antonyms
  • Cứng (stiff, firm)
  • Căng (tight, taut)
  • Nhanh nhẹn (agile, nimble)
  • Hoạt bát (lively, energetic)
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Ngồi thõng thẹo: To sit in a slouching, unstable, or improper posture.
    • Không được ngồi thõng thẹo trên ghế như thế. (Don't sit so slouched in the chair like that.)
  • Làm việc thõng thẹo: To work in a slow, lazy, and ineffective manner.
    • Anh ta làm việc thõng thẹo cả ngày. (He worked in a sluggish manner all day.)