Definition

1. Verb:

   • To peel (off) in scales or flakes: The primary meaning of "tróc vảy" is for a surface layer, such as paint, skin, or bark, to detach in small, thin, plate-like pieces.
   • To flake off: It describes the action of a material coming loose in scales or flakes, often due to age, dryness, or damage.

2. Verb (descriptive):

   • To desquamate: A more technical term, primarily used in medical or biological contexts for the shedding of the outermost layer of skin in scales.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Lớp sơn trên tường đã bắt đầu tróc vảy. (The paint on the wall has started to peel/flake off.)
  • Da anh ấy bị cháy nắng và đang tróc vảy. (His skin is sunburned and is peeling.)
  • Bức tranh cũ này đang tróc vảy. (This old painting is flaking.)

Advanced Usage

• Medical/Biological Context:
  • In dermatology, "tróc vảy" can describe conditions like psoriasis or healing from a burn, where skin desquamates.
  • Sau khi bị bỏng nhẹ, vùng da đó sẽ tróc vảy. (After a mild burn, that area of skin will flake off.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tróc (v): to peel off, to come off (a more general term for any layer detaching).

  • Lớp vữa trên trần nhà bị tróc. (The plaster on the ceiling is peeling off.)

• Bong vảy (v): to come off in a scab or crust; often used for healing wounds.

  • Vết thương đang lành và bắt đầu bong vảy. (The wound is healing and starting to scab over.)

Synonyms

• To flake: To come off in small, thin pieces.
• To peel: To lose an outer layer in strips or pieces.
• To desquamate: (Technical) To shed skin in scales.

Related Idioms

• Nói như tróc vảy: (Simile) To speak in a rapid, continuous, and harsh manner, as if words are flaking off.
  • Ông ấy tức giận và nói như tróc vảy. (He was angry and spoke rapidly and harshly.)