Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Awkward, aberrant, irregular: Describes something that is not built, arranged, or done according to customary norms, proper rules, or traditional standards. It often implies a deviation from accepted architectural, social, or procedural conventions, resulting in an improper or inconvenient form.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ngôi nhà này xây thất cách, các cửa đều hướng về phía bắc. (This house is built aberrantly, with all the doors facing north.)
  • Kiến trúc thất cách đó không phù hợp với phong thủy. (That irregular architecture is not suitable according to feng shui.)

Advanced Usage

• While primarily an adjective, "thất cách" can describe abstract concepts like behavior or procedures that breach formal etiquette or protocol, though this is less common.
  • Cách ứng xử của anh ta trong buổi lễ bị coi là thất cách. (His behavior during the ceremony was considered improper/against protocol.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thất lễ (adj): Impolite, ill-mannered. Focuses on a breach of social courtesy rather than structural or formal norms.
• Dị biệt (adj): Different, divergent. A more neutral term for being different, without the negative connotation of violating norms.

Synonyms

• Irregular: Not conforming to a rule, standard, or pattern.
• Improper: Not in accordance with accepted rules or standards.
• Nonstandard: Not conforming to the usual or established standard.

Related Idioms

• "Ăn nói thất cách": To speak improperly or in a manner that breaches decorum.
  • Ông ấy ăn nói thất cách trước mặt khách quý. (He spoke improperly in front of the honored guests.)

adj

1. awkward, aberrant