Definition

1. 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.)

verb

1. to torment, to tear