tàng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Old / Worn-out: Describes an object, especially clothing or fabric, that is old, shabby, or has been used for a long time, losing its original quality.
- Poor / Inferior: Describes something of low quality, worthless, or in bad condition, such as a story or work considered to be of little value.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh mặc chiếc áo tàng. (He is wearing a worn-out shirt.)
- Đó là một cuốn tiểu thuyết tàng. (That is a poor/inferior novel.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "tàng" is considered literary or somewhat archaic in modern Vietnamese. It is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more likely to be encountered in older texts or specific fixed expressions.
Variants and Related Words
- Tàng tàng (adj): An emphatic or reduplicated form meaning very old and shabby.
- Căn nhà trông tàng tàng. (The house looks very dilapidated.)
Synonyms
- Cũ kỹ: old, antiquated.
- Tồi tàn: wretched, miserable, in poor condition.
- Sờn cũ: frayed and old.
Related Idioms
- Ăn mặc tàng tàng: to dress in a shabby, worn-out manner.
- Ông cụ ăn mặc tàng tàng nhưng rất hiền lành. (The old man dresses shabbily but is very kind.)