Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Late; Tardy: Occurring or arriving after the expected, scheduled, or usual time.
   • Low-slung; Sagging: Hanging down or positioned lower than the normal or intended point.

2. Verb:

   • To sag; To droop; To hang low: To sink, bend, or hang downward due to weight, looseness, or gravity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Late):
  • Chúng tôi đến rất trễ. (We arrived very late.)
  • Xin lỗi vì câu trả lời trễ. (Sorry for the late reply.)
• Adjective (Low-slung):
  • Chiếc quần jean này trễ quá. (These jeans are too low-slung.)
• Verb:
  • Vai áo bị trễ xuống. (The sleeve is sagging down.)

Advanced Usage

• "trễ hẹn": to miss an appointment; to be late for an appointment.
  • Anh ta thường xuyên trễ hẹn. (He frequently misses appointments.)
• "trễ nải": to be sluggish, negligent, or remiss in one's duties.
  • Không được trễ nải trong công việc. (Don't be negligent in your work.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trì trệ (adj): stagnant, sluggish (often for processes or economies).
  • Nền kinh tế đang trì trệ. (The economy is stagnant.)
• Trễ tràng (adj): delayed, belated (emphasizing a delay).
  • Một lời xin lỗi trễ tràng. (A belated apology.)

Synonyms

• Late, delayed, tardy, behind schedule.
• Sagging, drooping, low-hanging, slack.

Related Idioms

• Trễ giờ (literally "late hour"): to be late on time.
  • Máy bay trễ giờ cất cánh. (The plane's departure is delayed.)
• Trễ tàu/xe (literally "late train/vehicle"): to miss a train/bus.
  • Tôi bị trễ chuyến xe sáng nay. (I missed the bus this morning.)

adj

1. late, tardy

verb

1. to sagg