tối dạ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slow-witted; dull: Describes a person who is slow to understand, learn, or remember things; lacking quickness of mind.
- Unintelligent; dim: A more direct term for someone perceived to have low intelligence or poor comprehension.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nó bị cô giáo chê là tối dạ. (He was criticized by the teacher for being slow-witted.)
- Đừng có tối dạ như thế! (Don't be so dim!)
- Học sinh tối dạ thường cần nhiều thời gian hơn để tiếp thu bài. (A slow-witted student often needs more time to absorb the lesson.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in educational or scolding contexts to express frustration with someone's lack of understanding or progress.
- It can be considered harsh or derogatory. Using it directly to describe someone can be offensive.
Variants and Related Words
- Đần độn (adj): Mentally slow; foolish; simple-minded. (Often stronger and more offensive than ).
- Chậm hiểu (adj): Slow to understand. (A more neutral and descriptive phrase).
- Kém thông minh (adj): Less intelligent. (A direct, descriptive phrase).
Synonyms
- Slow-witted
- Dull
- Dim
- Unintelligent
- Obtuse
Related Idioms
- Đầu óc tối tăm: Literally "a dark mind," meaning a confused or unintelligent mind.
- Nói mãi không hiểu, đầu óc tối tăm quá! (I've explained repeatedly and you still don't understand, your mind is so dim!)