vướng vít
Definition
Adjective:
- Tangled; entangled: Describes a state where things, often threads, wires, or hair, are twisted together in a messy, complicated mass, making separation difficult.
- Complicated; ensnaring: Used figuratively to describe a situation, problem, or relationship that is complex, confusing, and difficult to resolve or extricate oneself from.
Verb (state):
- To be caught up in; to be entangled in: Indicates being physically stuck or impeded by something, or being involved in a troublesome, complicated affair.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Sợi chỉ bị vướng vít. (The thread is tangled.)
- Mối quan hệ vướng vít. (The relationship is complicated/entangled.)
Verb (state):
- Chân tôi vướng vít vào dây cáp. (My foot got tangled in the cable.)
- Công ty đang vướng vít trong vụ kiện. (The company is entangled in a lawsuit.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used to emphasize a state of messy obstruction or complication. It can imply a greater degree of nuisance or stickiness than the simpler word "vướng."
- "vướng vít mắc míu": A common alliterative phrase meaning "hopelessly tangled and complicated," used to emphasize extreme complexity or entanglement.
Variants and Related Words
Vướng (v/adj): to be caught on; to be obstructed; to be involved in. A simpler, more general term.
- Áo vướng vào đinh. (The shirt got caught on a nail.)
Vướng víu (adj/v): Very similar in meaning and usage to "vướng vít," meaning tangled or entangled.
Synonyms
- Tangled: twisted together untidily.
- Entangled: twisted together or involved in a complicated way.
- Ensnared: trapped or caught in a snare.
- Complicated: involving many parts; complex.
Related Idioms
- Vướng vít như tơ vò: (Tangled like a spider's web) – Used to describe an extremely complicated and messy situation.
- Vụ án này vướng vít như tơ vò. (This case is tangled like a spider's web.)