vát

Một người thợ mộc vát mép tấm ván gỗ.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Beveled, Slanted, Angled: Describes an edge or surface that is cut or shaped at an angle that is not a right angle (90 degrees).
   • Oblique, Diagonal: Describes a direction or movement that is at a slant or angle relative to a main line or force.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Mặt bàn được mài vát cạnh. (The tabletop has its edges beveled.)
  • Người thợ cắt vát miếng vải. (The worker cut the piece of fabric at a slant.)
  • Con thuyền đi vát theo hướng gió. (The boat sailed obliquely into the wind direction.)

Advanced Usage

• "ván vát": (reduplicative form) Slightly beveled or slanted; can also colloquially mean "just enough," "barely sufficient," or "petty" (often regarding money or trivial matters).
  • Cô ấy kiếm được một khoản ván vát đủ sống. (She earns just enough to get by.)
  • Mối quan hệ chỉ còn những tính toán ván vát. (The relationship is now just petty calculations.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cắt vát (v): to cut on a bevel or at an angle.

  • Anh ấy cắt vát ống nhựa để nối. (He cut the plastic pipe at a bevel to connect it.)

• Vạt (n): a strip, flap, or section (e.g., of land, cloth). While related in form, it is a distinct noun with a different primary meaning.

Synonyms

• Beveled: Having a sloping edge.
• Slanted: At an angle; inclined.
• Oblique: Neither parallel nor at a right angle; slanting.

Related Idioms

• Chạy vát (gió): A sailing term meaning to tack or sail close-hauled, moving obliquely against the wind.
  • Thuyền phải chạy vát để tiến lên phía trước. (The boat had to sail obliquely to move forward.)