Definition

1. Verb:
   • To tear, to rip: The primary meaning of "xé" is to pull or force something apart, causing it to separate into pieces, often with a sharp or violent action. It implies a physical act of destruction.
   • To tear up, to shred: It can also mean to tear something into many small pieces, often completely.
   • To rend, to lacerate (figurative): Used metaphorically to describe a sharp, intense, and painful feeling, as if something is being torn inside.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy xé tờ giấy thành nhiều mảnh. (She tore the paper into many pieces.)
  • Đừng xé quần áo mới! (Don't tear the new clothes!)
  • Nỗi đau ấy như xé nát trái tim tôi. (That pain tore my heart apart.)

Advanced Usage

• "xé bỏ": to tear up and discard.

  • Anh ta tức giận xé bỏ bức thư. (He angrily tore up the letter.)

• "xé lẻ": to break apart, to fragment (often used for groups or unity).

  • Những mâu thuẫn có thể xé lẻ đội ngũ. (Conflicts can tear the team apart.)

• "xé toạc": to rip open, to tear through (emphasizing force and completeness).

  • Tiếng sét xé toạc bầu trời. (The thunderclap tore through the sky.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xé rách (verb phrase): to tear, to rip (emphasizing the result of being torn).

  • Tấm bản đồ bị xé rách. (The map was torn.)

• Xé nát (verb phrase): to tear to shreds, to rip apart completely.

  • Con chó xé nát chiếc gối. (The dog tore the pillow to shreds.)

• Sự xé (noun): the act of tearing.

  • Sự xé giấy nghe rất rõ. (The sound of paper tearing was very clear.)

Synonyms

• Rách (verb): to be torn, to get a tear (often describes the state rather than the action).
• Cắt (verb): to cut (implies using a sharp tool, not pulling apart).
• Xé is more violent and forceful than rách.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Xé ra: to tear open, to tear apart.

  • Cậu bé xé ra gói quà. (The boy tore open the gift package.)

• Xé tan: to tear asunder, to shatter (often figurative).

  • Tin buồn xé tan sự yên bình. (The sad news shattered the peace.)

Related Idioms

• "Việc bé xé ra to": to make a mountain out of a molehill (literally: to tear a small matter into a big one).

  • Đó chỉ là hiểu lầm nhỏ, đừng việc bé xé ra to. (It's just a small misunderstanding, don't make a mountain out of a molehill.)

• "Đau như xé" / "Đau xé ruột": to be in excruciating pain (literally: pain as if tearing one's guts).

  • Sau cú ngã, anh ấy đau như xé. (After the fall, he was in excruciating pain.)

verb

1. to tear