xũ
Definition
Adjective:
- Disheveled; hanging limply or in disorder: Describes something, especially hair or feathers, that is hanging down loosely, untidily, or in a limp, bedraggled manner.
- Drooping; dejected: Can describe the appearance of something, like wings, that are hanging down as if in a pitiful or sad state.
Noun (Archaic):
- Coffin; casket: An old, literary term for a coffin. This meaning is now rare in modern usage.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Cô ấy để tóc xũ. (She has disheveled hair.)
- Con chim ướt sũng, lông cánh xũ ra. (The bird was soaked, its wing feathers drooping limply.)
Noun (Archaic):
- Hàng xũ là nơi bán quan tài. (A "hàng xũ" is a shop that sells coffins.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "xũ" is considered literary or archaic, especially in its nominal meaning ("coffin"). As an adjective, it is still understood but not among the most common everyday words. It often carries a connotation of neglect, sadness, or being soaked/wet.
Variants and Related Words
Sũng (adj): Soaking wet, saturated. While distinct, "sũng" (wet) is sometimes associated with the drooping state described by "xũ".
- Quần áo sũng nước. (Clothes soaked with water.)
Xờ xạc (adj): Disheveled, ragged, worn out (often for hair or appearance). A more common synonym for the disheveled aspect of "xũ".
- Mái tóc xờ xạc. (Disheveled hair.)
Synonyms
- Disheveled: Untidy, hanging loosely (for hair).
- Drooping: Hanging down limply.
- Bedraggled: Messy and wet, causing a limp appearance.
- Coffin (archaic): Casket, burial box.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Xũ tóc: To let one's hair hang down in disorder.
- Cô gái ngồi xũ tóc nhìn ra cửa sổ. (The girl sat with her disheveled hair, looking out the window.)
Xũ cánh (for birds): To have drooping, pitiful-looking wings.
- Chim bị thương đứng xũ cánh. (The injured bird stood with drooping wings.)