tun ngủn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Very short and stumpy: Describes something, typically a limb, tail, or object, that is extremely short, blunt, and seemingly cut off, giving a stubby or truncated appearance.
- Dwarfish and squat: Can describe a person, animal, or plant that is unusually short and thick-set.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Con mèo này có cái đuôi tun ngủn. (This cat has a very short, stumpy tail.)
- Đứa bé có những ngón tay tun ngủn. (The child has short, stubby fingers.)
- Cây cối ở vùng núi cao thường mọc tun ngủn. (Trees in high mountain areas often grow squat and stunted.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "tun ngủn" is primarily used in descriptive, often informal, contexts to emphasize an extreme or somewhat comical lack of length. It carries a stronger connotation of bluntness and truncation than simply "ngắn" (short).
Variants and Related Words
- Tun hủn (adj): A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage to "tun ngủn."
- Cụt ngủn (adj): Also means very short and cut-off; often interchangeable.
- Ngắn cũn cỡn (adj): Colloquial for very short, particularly for clothing.
Synonyms
- Stumpy: Short and thick.
- Truncated: Appearing as if cut short.
- Squat: Short and thick-set.
Related Idioms
- While "tun ngủn" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used vividly in descriptive phrases to create imagery.
- Cái áo mặc trông tun ngủn. (The shirt looks ridiculously short [on someone].)