Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Flat; deflated; collapsed: Describes an object that has lost its normal, full, or rounded shape, often due to a lack of air or internal pressure, or because it has been crushed.
   • Sunken; caved in: Describes a part of the body or a structure that appears depressed or has lost its plumpness.

2. Verb:

   • To go down; to deflate; to collapse: The action of becoming flat, losing air, volume, or vigor.
   • To subside; to dwindle; to fizzle out: Used figuratively to describe something (like enthusiasm, a movement, or health) diminishing significantly or disappearing.
   • (Medical) To collapse: Used in specific medical contexts for organs or body parts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bánh xe xẹp. (The tire is flat.)
  • Mũi xẹp. (A flat nose.)
• Verb:
  • Quả bóng xẹp đi. (The ball deflated.)
  • Phong trào ấy đã xẹp rồi. (That movement has fizzled out.)
  • Sức khỏe của ông ấy xẹp dần. (His health has been dwindling.)

Advanced Usage

• Medical Terminology: Used in compound medical terms to indicate collapse.
  • Xẹp phổi: (Pulmonary) collapse; atelectasis.
  • Xẹp não thất: Ventricular collapse.

Variants and Related Words

• Xịt (v): To spray. (Note: Sometimes confused colloquially, but "xịt" means to spray, while "xẹp" means to deflate).
• Xẹp lép (adj): Completely flat or deflated.
• Lép (adj): Flat (often for tires), empty (for grains).

Synonyms

• Adjective: Flat, deflated, collapsed, sunken.
• Verb: Deflate, collapse, subside, dwindle, diminish, wane.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• Xẹp hơi: Literally "to deflate air," meaning to lose energy, confidence, or enthusiasm; to back down.
  • Nó hứa sẽ làm nhưng đến lúc lại xẹp hơi. (He promised to do it but backed down at the last moment.)
• Làm xẹp (ai/ cái gì): To deflate (someone/something), meaning to humble, to discourage, or to cause to lose vigor.
  • Lời chỉ trích làm xẹp tinh thần của cả đội. (The criticism deflated the team's morale.)

adj

1. flat

verb

1. to go down