Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Downstream / Downward: Describes a direction following the natural flow, typically of a river, from a higher to a lower location or from an upstream to a downstream area.
   • Settled / Resolved / Going smoothly: Describes a situation, arrangement, or matter that has been successfully sorted out, is proceeding without difficulty, or has reached a satisfactory agreement.

2. Adverb:

   • Downwards / Downstream: Indicates movement in the direction of the flow or from a higher point to a lower one.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Chúng tôi sống ở miền xuôi. (We live in the lowlands / downcountry.)
  • Mọi việc đã xuôi cả rồi. (Everything has been settled / is going smoothly now.)

• Adverb:

  • Con thuyền trôi xuôi theo dòng nước. (The boat drifted downstream with the current.)
  • Nước luôn chảy xuôi. (Water always flows downwards.)

Advanced Usage

• "xuôi xuôi": (reduplicated, attenuated meaning) Almost settled, nearly arranged.

  • Công việc cũng xuôi xuôi rồi. (The work is pretty much sorted out now.)

• "xuôi chèo mát mái": (idiomatic expression) To go very smoothly, like sailing effortlessly downstream; to proceed without a hitch.

  • Nhờ chuẩn bị kỹ, mọi thứ xuôi chèo mát mái. (Thanks to careful preparation, everything went like clockwork.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xuôi dòng (v): To go with the flow, to follow the current (literally and figuratively).

  • Chiếc bè xuôi dòng về hạ lưu. (The raft floated downstream to the lower reaches.)

• Xuôi tay (adj/phrase): Willing, agreeable, compliant.

  • Cuối cùng anh ta cũng xuôi tay đồng ý. (He finally agreed willingly.)

Synonyms

• Downstream: In the direction of a river's flow.
• Settled: Resolved or arranged satisfactorily.
• Smoothly: Without problems or difficulties.

Related Idioms

• Khéo nói dễ xuôi: (Literally: Skillful talking makes it easy to settle) Persuasive words can smooth things over.

  • Với anh ấy, khéo nói dễ xuôi thôi. (With him, a smooth talker can get anything agreed.)

• Xuôi Nam, ngược Bắc: (Literally: Down to the South, up to the North) To travel far and wide, to go to great lengths.

  • Bà ấy xuôi Nam, ngược Bắc tìm thầy chữa bệnh cho con. (She traveled far and wide to find a doctor to cure her child.)

adj

1. down