xệch xạc
Definition
- Adjective:
- Dilapidated; rickety; in a state of disrepair: Describes an object, typically furniture or a structure, that is worn out, broken down, or falling apart due to age, neglect, or poor condition. It implies a lack of stability and a shabby appearance.
- Crooked; askew; out of alignment: Can describe something that is not straight, is lopsided, or has become misaligned, contributing to its overall untidy or broken appearance.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Căn nhà ấy trông thật xệch xạc. (That house looks truly dilapidated.)
- Chiếc bàn xệch xạc này sắp đổ rồi. (This rickety table is about to collapse.)
- Cánh cửa bị xệch xạc, đóng không khít nữa. (The door is crooked and no longer closes properly.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a connotation of neglect and is used to evoke a sense of something being not just old, but poorly maintained and visually unappealing.
- It can be used metaphorically in informal contexts to describe something that is messy, disorganized, or not functioning smoothly, such as a plan or system.
Variants and Related Words
- Xiêu vẹo (adj): crooked, leaning, tilted. Often used for structures that are not upright.
- Ngôi tháp cổ đã bị xiêu vẹo. (The ancient tower has become tilted.)
- Tả tơi (adj): tattered, ragged. More often used for fabrics, clothes, or things that are torn apart.
- Lá cờ bay phấp phới trong gió đến tả tơi. (The flag fluttered in the wind until it was tattered.)
Synonyms
- Dilapidated: In a state of disrepair or ruin.
- Rickety: Weak and likely to collapse.
- Decrepit: Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
- Crooked: Not straight; bent or twisted.
Related Idioms
- While "xệch xạc" itself is not commonly part of a fixed idiom, it is descriptive and often used in phrases that emphasize a state of decay or disarray.
- Đồ đạc xệch xạc: dilapidated furniture/possessions.
- Bộ dạng xệch xạc: a disheveled or untidy appearance (used figuratively for a person's state).