thậm

Thậm chí trẻ con cũng có thể làm việc này.

Definition

1. Adverb (Literary/Formal):
   • Very; extremely; exceedingly: Used to intensify an adjective or another adverb, indicating a high degree. It conveys a stronger emphasis than the common word "rất."
   • Utterly; completely; absolutely: Used to express that a state or quality is total or without reservation, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Lời buộc tội đó thậm vô lý. (That accusation is utterly absurd.)
  • Cô ấy tỏ ra thậm chán nản. (She appeared extremely discouraged.)
  • Hành động thậm tệ hại. (An exceedingly harmful action.)

Advanced Usage

• "thậm chí": even; to the point of; goes so far as to. This is a fixed conjunction, far more common in modern usage than "thậm" alone.
  • Anh ấy không những không xin lỗi, thậm chí còn đổ lỗi cho tôi. (Not only did he not apologize, he even blamed me.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thậm tệ (adj/phr): extremely bad, terrible.

  • Thái độ của hắn thật thậm tệ. (His attitude is truly terrible.)

• Thậm thượt (adj, literary): excessive, exorbitant (often used for prices or demands).

  • Giá cả thậm thượt. (Exorbitant prices.)

Synonyms

• Rất: very (more common, less intense).
• Vô cùng: immensely, extremely.
• Cực kỳ: extremely.
• Hết sức: utterly, exceedingly.

Notes on Usage

• Register: The standalone adverb "thậm" is primarily used in formal, literary, or rhetorical contexts. In everyday modern spoken Vietnamese, "rất," "cực kỳ," or the conjunction "thậm chí" are preferred.
• Connotation: "Thậm" often carries a negative or critical nuance when modifying adjectives like "vô lý" (absurd), "tệ" (bad), or "chán" (bored/disappointed).