Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slovenly, untidy: Describes a state of being messy, disorderly, or unkempt, particularly regarding one's appearance or attire. It implies a lack of neatness and care in dressing or presentation.
   • Disheveled: Can describe something (like clothing or hair) that is in a state of disarray or is not properly arranged.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy đến lớp với bộ quần áo xốc xếch. (He came to class in slovenly clothes.)
  • Sau trận mưa, mái tóc cô ấy trông rất xốc xếch. (After the rain, her hair looked very disheveled.)
  • Căn phòng không được dọn dẹp, mọi thứ xốc xếch. (The room wasn't cleaned; everything was untidy.)

Advanced Usage

• "xốc xa xốc xếch": This is a reduplicated form (a common feature in Vietnamese) used for emphasis. It intensifies the meaning to completely slovenly or extremely untidy.
  • Cậu bé chạy về nhà, quần áo xốc xa xốc xếch. (The boy ran home, his clothes completely disheveled.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lôi thôi (adj): Sloppy, untidy (often with a connotation of being troublesome or causing disorder).
• Luộm thuộm (adj): Slovenly, messy (similar to , emphasizing a careless appearance).
• Bừa bộn (adj): Messy, cluttered (more general, often describing a space rather than just personal attire).

Synonyms

• Bẩn thỉu: Dirty, filthy (stronger, focusing on dirtiness rather than just disorder).
• Không gọn gàng: Not neat, untidy (a more neutral and descriptive phrase).
• Nhếch nhác: Shabby, seedy (can imply poor condition or quality in addition to untidiness).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Ăn mặc xốc xếch: To dress in a slovenly/untidy manner.
  • Đi làm không nên ăn mặc xốc xếch. (One should not dress sloppily for work.)

adj

1. slovenly, untidy