Definition

1. 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.

2. 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.)