vẹo
Definition
Adjective:
- Crooked; bent; twisted: Describes something that is not straight, often due to being deformed, warped, or turned from its natural or correct alignment.
- Awry; off-center: Indicates something that is slanted, tilted, or not in a symmetrical or proper position.
Verb (colloquial):
- To become crooked; to twist: Describes the action of bending or becoming deformed out of shape.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Cái cây bị bão làm cho vẹo hẳn. (The tree was made completely crooked by the storm.)
- Tấm bảng treo bị vẹo sang một bên. (The sign is hanging awry to one side.)
- Anh ấy bị vẹo cột sống. (He has a twisted spine.)
Verb:
- Vác ba lô nặng quá, lưng tôi sắp vẹo mất. (Carrying such a heavy backpack, my back is about to become crooked.)
Advanced Usage
- "vẹo vọ": (reduplicative form) emphasizes a state of being twisted, crooked, or contorted in various directions.
- Chiếc xe đạp cũ vẹo vọ cả khung. (The old bicycle has a completely twisted and bent frame.)
Variants and Related Words
Cong vẹo (adj): Warped and crooked; describes significant bending or deformity.
- Thanh sắt này đã bị cong vẹo. (This iron rod has become warped and bent.)
Vẹo xương (adj/verb): Pertaining to or suffering from bone deformity.
- Căn bệnh có thể dẫn đến vẹo xương. (The disease can lead to bone deformity.)
Synonyms
- Crooked: Not straight; bent or curved.
- Twisted: Forced out of its natural shape.
- Deformed: Misshapen or distorted.
- Awry: Away from the expected or proper direction.
Related Idioms
Nói vẹo (colloquial): To speak in a misleading, insincere, or twisted way; to talk crookedly.
- Đừng nghe lời hứa của hắn, toàn là nói vẹo. (Don't listen to his promises; it's all crooked talk.)
Vẹo cả người: (Lit. "crooked all over one's body") Used to describe carrying something so heavy it contorts the body, or being in a very uncomfortable, twisted position.
- Bê cái thùng nước ấy, tôi vẹo cả người. (Carrying that water tank made me twist my whole body.)