tột mực
Definition
Adjective:
- Utmost; extreme; highest: Describes the highest possible degree or limit of a quality, state, or feeling. It emphasizes an absolute or ultimate level.
- Supreme; consummate: Used to describe something that represents the pinnacle or most perfect form.
Adverb:
- Extremely; utterly; to the utmost degree: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate an action or state performed or existing at the highest possible level.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đó là niềm vui tột mực. (That is the utmost joy.)
- Anh ấy thể hiện lòng trung thành tột mực. (He showed supreme loyalty.)
- Adverb:
- Cô ấy tột mực cẩn thận. (She is extremely careful.)
- Họ tột mực tin tưởng vào nhau. (They trust each other utterly.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in formal or literary contexts to add strong emphasis. It can describe both positive qualities (e.g., happiness, dedication) and negative ones (e.g., despair, cruelty) when pushed to their absolute limit.
- "tột mực của": This structure is less common but can be used to mean "the pinnacle of."
- Đây được coi là tột mực của sự xa hoa. (This is considered the pinnacle of luxury.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tột độ (n/adj): The extreme degree; extreme. Often used interchangeably with but can sound slightly more intense or critical.
- Nỗi đau đã lên đến tột độ. (The pain has reached its extreme.)
- Tột cùng (adj/adv): Utmost, extreme; to the very end. Often used for abstract concepts like suffering or love.
- tình yêu tột cùng (consummate love)
Synonyms
- Utmost: Of the greatest or highest degree.
- Extreme: Reaching a high or the highest degree.
- Supreme: Highest in rank or quality.
- Consummate: Complete or perfect in every way.
Related Idioms
- While itself is not typically part of fixed idioms, it is used to intensify descriptions within idiomatic expressions.
- vui sướng tột mực (to be overjoyed; lit., "utmost happiness")
- đau khổ tột mực (to be in utter agony; lit., "utmost suffering")