Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Completely empty, hollow, or vacant: Describes a space, container, or area that contains absolutely nothing inside. It emphasizes a stark, often surprising, state of total emptiness.
   • Desolate, barren: Can describe a place that is not only empty but also feels abandoned, lifeless, or unfrequented.

2. Adjective (colloquial):

   • Penniless, broke: Used figuratively to describe having no money at all.
   • Empty-headed, devoid of thought: Used informally to describe a state of having no ideas, knowledge, or thoughts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cái tủ trống huếch, chẳng có gì bên trong. (The cabinet is completely empty, there's nothing inside.)
  • Sau buổi hòa nhạc, sân vận động trở nên trống huếch. (After the concert, the stadium became utterly desolate.)
  • Tháng này tôi trống huếch túi rồi. (This month I am completely broke.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used for dramatic or emphatic effect to convey a stronger sense of emptiness than the word "trống" alone.
• Can be reduplicated as "trống huếch trống hoác" to intensify the meaning, suggesting something is gapingly, conspicuously empty.

Variants and Related Words

• Trống hoác (adj): An even stronger synonym for "trống huếch," emphasizing a gaping, wide-open emptiness.
  • Căn phòng trống hoác. (The room is gapingly empty.)
• Trống rỗng (adj): Empty, void. Often used for both physical and abstract emptiness (e.g., an empty feeling).
  • Cảm giác trống rỗng. (A feeling of emptiness.)

Synonyms

• Empty: Containing nothing.
• Hollow: Having a hole or empty space inside.
• Vacant: Not occupied.
• Desolate: Bare, lifeless, and empty.

Related Idioms

• Trống huếch trống hoác: Reduplicated form for emphasis on total, obvious emptiness.
  • Nhà cửa trống huếch trống hoác, đồ đạc đã dọn đi hết. (The house is completely and utterly empty, all the furniture has been moved out.)