Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Nearly; almost; on the verge of: Used to indicate that an event or action was very close to happening but did not actually occur. It expresses a narrow miss or a near occurrence.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Tôi xuýt ngã. (I nearly fell.)
  • Chúng tôi xuýt lỡ chuyến tàu. (We almost missed the train.)
  • Cô ấy xuýt khóc. (She was on the verge of crying.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "xuýt" is often used interchangeably with "suýt" in modern Vietnamese. "Suýt" is slightly more common in formal writing, while "xuýt" may appear in speech and various texts.
  • Anh ta xuýt/suýt chết. (He nearly died.)

Variants and Related Words

• Suýt (adv): The more standard variant meaning "nearly" or "almost."

  • Suýt nữa thì tôi quên. (I almost forgot.)

• Xuýt xoa (verb): To express sympathy, regret, or admiration by making clicking sounds with the tongue; to exclaim over something.

  • Bà ấy xuýt xoa trước vết thương. (She clicked her tongue in sympathy at the wound.)

Synonyms

• Almost: Very nearly.
• Nearly: Very close to being or happening.
• On the brink/verge of: At the point where something is about to happen.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Xuýt nữa: A common phrase emphasizing "almost" or "nearly."

  • Xuýt nữa tôi gặp anh. (I almost met you.)

• Xuýt đi đời: A colloquial expression meaning "nearly died" or "was nearly finished."

  • Chiếc xe xuýt đi đời trong vụ tai nạn. (The car was nearly totaled in the accident.)

adj

1. nearly