Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deaf, hard of hearing: Lacking or having a significant reduction in the sense of hearing.
   • Stunted, undeveloped: Describing a plant, fruit, or object that is underdeveloped, barren, or fails to grow to its normal size or potential.
   • Dud, inert: Describing an explosive device, such as a bullet or firecracker, that fails to detonate or function.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông ấy bị điếc sau một tai nạn. (He became deaf after an accident.)
  • Cây này ra toàn quả điếc. (This tree only produces stunted fruit.)
  • Quả pháo này là pháo điếc. (This firecracker is a dud.)

Advanced Usage

• "Điếc đặc": Completely deaf; also used figuratively to mean stubbornly refusing to listen or heed advice.

  • Nó điếc đặc, chẳng nghe ai khuyên. (He is completely deaf/stubborn, not listening to anyone's advice.)

• "Giả điếc": To pretend not to hear; to feign deafness.

  • Anh ta giả điếc khi tôi gọi. (He pretended not to hear when I called.)

Variants and Related Words

• Điếc tai (adj): Deafening, extremely loud (to the point of hurting the ears).

  • Tiếng máy khoan điếc tai. (The deafening sound of the drill.)

• Khiếm thính (adj): Hearing-impaired (a more formal or clinical term).

Synonyms

• Lãng tai (adj): Hard of hearing.
• Câm điếc (adj): Deaf and mute.
• Hỏng (adj): Broken, defective (for objects).
• Xịt (slang, adj): Dud, failed (often for fireworks or events).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bịt tai làm điếc: To plug one's ears and act deaf; to deliberately ignore.
  • Cô ấy bịt tai làm điếc trước mọi lời chỉ trích. (She plugs her ears and acts deaf to all criticism.)

Related Idioms

• Điếc không sợ súng: Literally "deaf people aren't afraid of guns"; meaning ignorance is bliss, or those who are unaware of danger do not fear it.

  • Hắn cứ làm liều, đúng là điếc không sợ súng. (He acts recklessly; it's true that ignorance is bliss.)

• Nói như đấm vào tai điếc: To speak as if punching a deaf ear; to speak to someone who does not listen or understand.

  • Giải thích với nó chẳng khác nào nói như đấm vào tai điếc. (Explaining to him is like talking to a brick wall.)

1. Deaf
   • Điếc một tai
     To deaf of one ear
2. Stunted
   • Quả dừa điếc
     A stunted coconut
3. Dud
   • Đạn điếc
     A dud bullet
   • Pháo điếc không nổ
     Dud fire-crackers never explode