thừ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Physically numb or paralyzed: Describes a state where a part of the body or the entire body loses sensation or mobility, often due to fatigue, cold, or prolonged inactivity.
- Mentally or physically sluggish, listless, or drained: Describes a state of extreme tiredness, weariness, or despondency that results in a lack of energy or motivation to move or act.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tay tôi bị tê thừ sau khi ngủ đè lên nó. (My arm was completely numb after sleeping on it.)
- Làm việc 12 tiếng, tôi mệt thừ người. (After working for 12 hours, I was utterly drained.)
- Nghe tin buồn, anh ấy ngồi thừ ra cả giờ. (Upon hearing the sad news, he sat listlessly for hours.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "thừ" is almost never used alone in modern Vietnamese. It is typically part of the compound "thừ người" or follows verbs like to describe a state of physical or mental paralysis or exhaustion.
- "thừ ra": A common phrase meaning to become or remain in a numb, listless, or stagnant state.
- Chờ đợi lâu khiến mọi người đứng thừ ra. (The long wait made everyone stand around sluggishly.)
Variants and Related Words
Thừ người (adj/phrase): To be physically drained or paralyzed with fatigue.
- Buổi tập khiến các vận động viên mệt thừ người. (The training session left the athletes completely exhausted.)
Tê thừ (adj): To be numb and immobile, often from cold or pressure.
- Ngồi xếp bằng lâu, chân tôi tê thừ. (After sitting cross-legged for a long time, my legs were completely numb.)
Synonyms
- Numb: Deprived of the power of sensation.
- Listless: Lacking energy or enthusiasm.
- Drained: Extremely tired; exhausted.
- Lethargic: Affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic.
Related Idioms
Ngồi thừ ra: To sit in a state of listlessness or stupefaction, often due to shock, bad news, or extreme boredom.
- Đứa trẻ ngồi thừ ra vì không được chơi điện tử. (The child sat listlessly because he wasn't allowed to play video games.)
Mệt thừ người: An idiom emphasizing complete physical exhaustion.
- Sau chuyến leo núi, tôi mệt thừ người. (After the hiking trip, I was completely worn out.)