Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Completely gone; utterly finished; extinct: Describes a state where something is totally eliminated, exhausted, or terminated.
   • Absolute; total; complete: Used as an intensifier to emphasize the thoroughness or finality of an action or state.

2. Verb (archaic/formal):

   • To exterminate; to eradicate; to wipe out completely: To destroy or remove something totally, often used in the context of pests or harmful elements.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cái kho này trống tiệt rồi. (This warehouse is completely empty.)
  • Nó cấm tiệt con không được đi chơi khuya. (He absolutely forbids his child from going out late.)
• Verb:
  • Người ta phun thuốc để tiệt muỗi. (They spray insecticide to exterminate mosquitoes.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used colloquially as an adverb-like intensifier before a verb to mean "completely" or "totally."
  • Nó phá tiệt cái máy tính của tôi. (He completely wrecked my computer.)
• Can be used in negative commands for strong emphasis.
  • Cấm tiệt! (It's absolutely forbidden!)

Variants and Related Words

• Tiệt trùng (v): To sterilize; to disinfect.
  • Tiệt trùng bình sữa cho em bé. (Sterilize the baby's milk bottle.)
• Tiệt chủng (v/phr): To become extinct.
  • Nhiều loài động vật có nguy cơ bị tiệt chủng. (Many animal species are at risk of extinction.)

Synonyms

• Completely: In every way or to the fullest extent.
• Absolutely: With no qualification, restriction, or limitation; totally.
• Exterminate: To destroy completely.

Related Idioms

• Hết tiệt: Completely finished or all gone.
  • Thức ăn trong tủ lạnh hết tiệt. (The food in the fridge is all gone.)
• Phá tiệt: To wreck or ruin something completely.
  • Lũ trẻ chơi đùa và phá tiệt khu vườn. (The children played and completely wrecked the garden.)