Definition

1. Verb:

   • To droop, to sag, to fall slack: Describes something losing its firmness, tension, or upright position and hanging down limply. Often used for plants, fabrics, or body parts.
   • To become deflated, to lose air: Describes something, like a balloon or tire, becoming less inflated and collapsing inward.
   • (Figurative) To become dispirited, to lose energy or enthusiasm: Describes a person's mood, spirit, or demeanor suddenly falling, becoming downcast or dejected. The face or expression often visibly shows this disappointment.

2. Adjective:

   • Droopy, sagging, limp: Describes the state of something that is not taut or upright.
   • Deflated, flat: Describes something that has lost its air or fullness.
   • Downcast, crestfallen: Describes a person's sad or disappointed appearance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Hoa hồng bị héo nên cánh hoa xịu xuống. (The rose wilted, so its petals drooped down.)
  • Quả bóng bị thủng nên xịu hẳn đi. (The ball had a puncture so it became completely deflated.)
  • Nghe tin đó, mặt nó xịu ngay. (Hearing that news, his/her face fell immediately.)

• Adjective:

  • Cái lốp xe trông rất xịu. (The tire looks very flat.)
  • Sau trận thua, cả đội có vẻ mặt xịu. (After the loss, the whole team had downcast expressions.)

Advanced Usage

• "xịu mặt" or "mặt xịu": A common phrase meaning "to pull a long face," to look visibly disappointed or sullen.

  • Đừng có xịu mặt như thế! (Don't pull such a long face!)

• "xịu xuống": Emphasizes the downward motion of drooping or sagging.

  • Cành cây xịu xuống vì tuyết nặng. (The tree branch sagged down from the heavy snow.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xịu xìu (adj): An intensified or more colloquial form meaning very droopy, very deflated, or very downcast.
  • Bong bóng xịu xìu. (A very deflated balloon.)

Synonyms

• Droop, sag: to hang down limply.
• Deflate: to collapse by losing air.
• Crestfallen, downcast: sad and disappointed.

Related Idioms

• Mặt xịu như mếu: To look like one is about to cry; to have a very sad, on-the-verge-of-tears expression.
  • Đứa bé mặt xịu như mếu khi đồ chơi bị hỏng. (The child's face looked like he was about to cry when his toy broke.)