xoét

Một người thợ sửa xong chiếc xe đạp trong một xoét.

Definition

1. Onomatopoeia / Adverb:
   • A swishing or slicing sound: Represents the sharp, swift sound made by something cutting through the air or a surface, like a knife, sword, or whip.
   • Promptly; swiftly; in a flash: Describes an action performed very quickly and deftly, almost instantaneously.

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia:

  • Anh ta vung dao, nghe tiếng xoét một cái. (He swung the knife, hearing a swish.)
  • Chiếc roi vun vút, xoét xoét trong không khí. (The whip whistled, swishing through the air.)

• Adverb:

  • Cô ấy xoét một cái đã lấy được chìa khóa trên bàn. (She swiftly snatched the keys from the table.)
  • Làm xoét cái là xong việc. (Get it done in a flash.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to emphasize the speed and decisiveness of a physical action, often involving grabbing, cutting, or moving.
  • Nó giật xoét tờ giấy từ tay tôi. (He snatched the paper from my hand in one quick motion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xoẹt: A common variant spelling with the same meaning and usage.
  • Xoẹt một cái, con cá đã được mổ xong. (With a swift slice, the fish was gutted.)

Synonyms

• Swish: (for the sound)
• Swiftly: (for the manner)
• In a jiffy: (for the speed)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Một xoét: Means "in an instant" or "in one quick go."
  • Công việc dài dằng dặc, đâu phải một xoét là xong. (The work is very long; it's not something you can finish in one go.)