trúc trắc
Definition
- Adjective:
- Bumpy, rough, uneven: Describes a physical surface that is not smooth, causing a jolting or jarring movement.
- Jarring, stilted, not smooth or fluent: Describes language, speech, writing, or a process that is not flowing, is awkward, or is full of interruptions and difficulties.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Con đường vào làng rất trúc trắc. (The road to the village is very bumpy.)
- Bài viết của anh ấy còn trúc trắc, cần chỉnh sửa lại. (His writing is still stilted and needs to be revised.)
- Cuộc đàm phán diễn ra trúc trắc vì nhiều bất đồng. (The negotiation proceeded unevenly due to many disagreements.)
Advanced Usage
- "trúc trắc" as a Reduplicative: The word is often used in its full form "trúc trắc" to emphasize the quality of being rough or non-fluent. A stronger, more emphatic form is "trúc tra trúc trắc".
- Đoạn văn này đọc lên nghe trúc tra trúc trắc. (This paragraph sounds very jarring and awkward when read aloud.)
Variants and Related Words
- Trắc trở (adj): Arduous, difficult, full of obstacles. While "trúc trắc" focuses on the lack of smoothness, "trắc trở" emphasizes hardship and challenges.
- Cuộc sống nhiều trắc trở. (Life is full of hardships.)
- Gập ghềnh (adj): Rugged, very uneven (often for terrain). It is a closer synonym for the physical meaning of "trúc trắc".
- Địa hình gập ghềnh. (Rugged terrain.)
Synonyms
- Gồ ghề: Uneven, rugged (for surfaces).
- Không trôi chảy: Not fluent, not smooth (for language/process).
- Ngắc ngứ: Halting, stammering (for speech).
Related Idioms
- "Trúc trắc" is itself descriptive and is commonly used within phrases rather than as part of a fixed idiom. Its usage directly describes the non-smooth nature of something.