Definition

1. Verb:
   • To split, to cut (lengthwise): "Tét" primarily means to cut or split something, often by pulling a string or wire through it, resulting in a long, straight cut. This action is commonly associated with cutting cylindrical or block-shaped foods like traditional Vietnamese rice cakes.
   • To tear (lengthwise): It can also describe something being torn or ripped open along a long line, such as skin being scratched open.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chị ấy tét bánh chưng bằng một sợi dây. (She cuts the bánh chưng [sticky rice cake] with a string.)
  • Cành cây sắc đã tét một đường dài trên tay anh. (The sharp branch tore a long line on his hand.)
  • Người ta thường tét bánh tét thành từng khoanh tròn. (People usually cut the cylindrical sticky rice cake into round slices.)

Advanced Usage

• "tét" (slang/regional): To run away very quickly, to flee at full speed.
  • Tên trộm tét mất sau khi bị phát hiện. (The thief ran off at full speed after being discovered.)
• "tét" (slang/vulgar, in gambling contexts): To be completely broke, to lose all one's money.
  • Hắn chơi bài và bị tét sạch túi. (He played cards and was cleaned out / lost all his money.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bánh tét (n): A traditional Vietnamese cylindrical glutinous rice cake, often eaten during Tết (Lunar New Year). The name is related to the verb "tét," referring to how it is sliced.
• Tét tóc (v, colloquial): Literally "to split hair," meaning to nitpick or be overly pedantic about minor details. (Note: This is a compound phrase, not a direct variant of the standalone verb "tét").

Synonyms

• Cắt: To cut (general term).
• Xẻ: To split, to cleave (often for wood or along a grain).
• Rách: To tear, to rip (general term for tearing).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Chạy tét (colloquial): To run away very fast, to bolt.
  • Nghe thấy tiếng cảnh sát, bọn chúng chạy tét. (Hearing the police, they bolted.)

Related Idioms

• Tét bánh chưng: Literally "to cut the square sticky rice cake." This refers to the specific traditional action and is often used in the context of Tết celebrations.
  • Vào giao thừa, ông nội thường tét bánh chưng đầu tiên. (On New Year's Eve, grandfather usually cuts the first square sticky rice cake.)

verb

1. to split, to cut