tè he
Definition
- Verb (colloquial):
- To sit with one's legs folded to one side: A specific sitting posture, typically associated with women, where the legs are bent and tucked to one side of the body.
- To sit with one's legs stretched out and spread apart: A casual, often inelegant, sitting position where the legs are extended forward and widely separated.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Các bà, các cô ngồi tè he trên chiếu để nghe hát. (The women sat with their legs folded to the side on the mat to listen to the singing.)
- Con trai ngồi tè he giữa sàn nhà chơi đồ chơi. (The boy sat with his legs spread apart on the floor playing with toys.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "tè he" is informal and primarily descriptive. It often carries a nuance of a relaxed, non-ceremonial, or sometimes careless sitting posture, not suitable for formal settings.
Variants and Related Words
Ngồi xếp bằng (v): to sit cross-legged.
- Mọi người ngồi xếp bằng trong buổi thiền. (Everyone sat cross-legged during the meditation session.)
Ngồi bệt (v): to sit flat on the floor or ground.
- Chúng tôi ngồi bệt trên cỏ để dã ngoại. (We sat flat on the grass for a picnic.)
Synonyms
- To sit side-saddle: (for the posture with legs to one side).
- To sit with legs splayed: (for the posture with legs spread apart).
Notes on Usage
- "Tè he" is not a common word in modern, everyday Vietnamese. It is considered rustic or dialectal and is most often encountered in literature, folk descriptions, or when depicting traditional or rural scenes.
- It specifically describes a physical posture and has no other abstract or idiomatic meanings.