xâu xé
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To torment, to torture (physically or mentally): "xâu xé" describes the act of causing someone severe physical pain or intense mental anguish.
- To tear apart, to rip to pieces (literally or figuratively): "xâu xé" can mean to physically tear something apart or, more commonly, to describe a fierce struggle where parties tear each other apart, either through conflict or competition.
- To carve up, to divide (by force): "xâu xé" is used to describe the act of forcefully dividing or partitioning something, like territory or resources, among competing parties.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Những ký ức đau buồn ấy vẫn đang xâu xé tâm trí cô ấy. (Those painful memories are still tormenting her mind.)
- Hai công ty lớn đang xâu xé nhau để giành thị phần. (The two large companies are tearing each other apart to gain market share.)
- Các cường quốc thực dân đã xâu xé châu Phi. (The colonial powers carved up Africa.)
Advanced Usage
"xâu xé nội tâm": to be tormented internally, to have an inner turmoil.
- Anh ấy bị xâu xé nội tâm giữa lý trí và tình cảm. (He is tormented internally between reason and emotion.)
"xâu xé lương tâm": to have a troubled conscience, to be gnawed by guilt.
- Hành động sai trái đó xâu xé lương tâm anh ta. (That wrongful action gnaws at his conscience.)
Variants and Related Words
- Xé (verb): to tear, to rip. This is the core component of "xâu xé," emphasizing the tearing action.
- Giằng xé (verb): to tug and tear; to be torn (often used for internal conflict). It is a close synonym, especially for mental anguish.
Synonyms
- Hành hạ: to torture, to torment (often physical).
- Dày vò: to torment, to afflict (often mental/emotional).
- Chia cắt: to divide, to split (less aggressive than "xâu xé").
- Tranh giành: to compete fiercely, to scramble for.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
Note: As a single Vietnamese verb, "xâu xé" does not form phrasal verbs in the same way English verbs do. Its meanings are conveyed through combination with different objects. - Xâu xé nhau: to tear each other apart (to engage in fierce conflict). - Các phe phái chính trị liên tục xâu xé nhau. (The political factions continuously tear each other apart.) - Xâu xé tâm can: to tear at one's heart and liver (to cause extreme emotional pain). - Lời từ chối của cô ấy xâu xé tâm can anh. (Her rejection tore at his heart.)
Related Idioms
- Xâu xé ruột gan: to tear apart one's intestines and liver (to describe being consumed by intense, conflicting emotions).
- Nỗi nhớ nhà xâu xé ruột gan người lính trẻ. (Homesickness tore apart the young soldier's heart.)