trơn trợt
Definition
Adjective:
- Slippery: The primary meaning describes a surface that is smooth, wet, or icy, causing a lack of traction and making it easy to slide or fall.
- Slick: Can describe something that is smooth and glossy, often implying it is difficult to grip or hold.
Adjective (figurative):
- Elusive / Slippery: Used metaphorically to describe a person who is evasive, difficult to pin down, or a situation that is tricky and hard to manage.
Usage Examples
Adjective (literal):
- Sàn nhà tắm ướt nên rất trơn trợt. (The bathroom floor is wet, so it is very slippery.)
- Con đường sau cơn mưa trở nên trơn trợt. (The road became slick after the rain.)
Adjective (figurative):
- Tên tội phạm đó rất trơn trợt, cảnh sát khó bắt được. (That criminal is very elusive; the police find it hard to catch him.)
- Tình huống này trơn trợt, cần phải cẩn thận. (This situation is tricky; we need to be careful.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "trơn trợt" often carries a stronger, more vivid connotation than the simpler "trơn", emphasizing a dangerous or troublesome level of slipperiness.
Variants and Related Words
Trơn (adj): Smooth, slippery. A more general and common term.
- Mặt bàn này rất trơn. (This tabletop is very smooth.)
Trượt (v): To slide, to slip.
- Cẩn thận kẻo trượt chân. (Be careful not to slip.)
Synonyms
- Slippery: Offering little traction.
- Slick: Smooth and glossy, often wet.
- Icy: Extremely slippery, like ice.
- Elusive: Difficult to catch or define (figurative).
Related Idioms and Phrases
Trơn như mỡ: As slippery as grease; used to describe something extremely slippery.
- Cá vừa bắt lên trơn như mỡ. (The freshly caught fish is as slippery as grease.)
Nói trơn tru: To speak fluently or smoothly (note: "trơn tru" is a different, though related, word meaning smooth/fluent).
- Anh ấy thuyết trình nói rất trơn tru. (He presented very fluently.)