Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Perfunctory; Sloppy; Careless: Describes an action done with minimal effort, attention, or care, resulting in a poor or incomplete outcome. It implies a lack of thoroughness and dedication.
   • Stained; Smeared (Rare, Archaic): Describes something that is dirtied or soiled in several spots. This meaning is now very uncommon in modern usage.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Perfunctory):
  • Công việc này cần sự cẩn thận, đừng làm vấy vá. (This job requires carefulness, don't do it in a perfunctory/sloppy manner.)
  • Nó chỉ làm vấy vá rồi đi chơi. (He just did it perfunctorily/sloppily and then went out to play.)
• Adjective (Stained - Rare):
  • Chiếc áo trắng bị vấy vá bởi những vết bùn. (The white shirt was stained/smeared with mud spots.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "vấy vá" is often used to criticize the quality of work or a task. It carries a negative connotation of negligence and irresponsibility.
• The primary and almost exclusive modern meaning is related to the manner of performing an action (perfunctory), not the physical state of an object (stained).

Variants and Related Words

• Vấy (verb): to smear, to stain, to daub.
  • Đừng để sơn vấy lên quần áo. (Don't let the paint smear on your clothes.)
• Qua loa (adjective/adverb): superficial, cursory. This is a close synonym for the primary meaning of "vấy vá".
  • Anh ấy kiểm tra qua loa rồi ký tên. (He checked it cursorily and then signed.)

Synonyms

• Perfunctory: carried out with minimal effort or reflection.
• Sloppy: careless and unsystematic; excessively casual.
• Cursory: hasty and therefore not thorough.
• Negligent: failing to take proper care.

Related Idioms

• Làm cho xong chuyện: to do something just to get it over with. This idiom conveys a similar idea of performing a task without care or interest, closely related to the meaning of "vấy vá".
  • Đừng làm cho xong chuyện, hãy làm cho tốt. (Don't just do it to get it over with, do it well.)

adj

1. perfunctory