Definition

1. Verb:

   • To whip, to strike sharply (often making a slapping sound): "đét" describes the action of hitting something quickly and sharply, typically with a thin, flexible object like a whip, switch, or even the hand, producing a distinct, crisp sound.
   • To flick, to tap sharply: It can also mean to give a light, sharp tap or flick.

2. Adjective:

   • Dried up, desiccated, withered: "đét" describes a state of being extremely dry, shriveled, or lacking moisture and vitality.
   • Very skinny, emaciated: When describing a person or animal, it means extremely thin, gaunt, or scrawny.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Bà mẹ đét nhẹ vào tay đứa trẻ. (The mother gave the child's hand a light flick.)
  • Người nài ngựa đét roi để thúc ngựa chạy. (The jockey whipped the crop to urge the horse to run.)

• Adjective:

  • Sau mùa khô, cánh đồng cỏ khô đét. (After the dry season, the grassland was completely dried up.)
  • Ông ấy ốm dậy trông gầy đét. (He looked terribly skinny after his illness.)

Advanced Usage

• "đen đét": An intensified form (reduplication) used as an adjective.

  • Meaning: Very blackened (from burning), or very skinny and dark.
  • Cái nồi bị cháy đen đét. (The pot was burnt completely black.)
  • Đứa trẻ suy dinh dưỡng trông đen đét. (The malnourished child looks gaunt and dark.)

• Imitative Use: The word is often used for its onomatopoeic quality, imitating the sound of a sharp slap or crack.

  • "Đét!" một tiếng, chiếc roi vụt xuống. ("Crack!" went the sound as the whip came down.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đét đét (adv): Describes repeated, sharp slapping or cracking sounds.
  • Nghe tiếng roi vun vút đánh đét đét. (Hear the swishing whip cracking sharply repeatedly.)

Synonyms

• Verb: (to lash), (to whip), (to slap).
• Adjective: (dried and shriveled), (withered), (skinny), (very thin - colloquial).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Đánh đét: To hit/strike sharply (making a "đét" sound). This is a common collocation.
  • Ông ta đánh đét một cái vào mặt bàn. (He slapped the table sharply.)

Related Idioms

• Gầy đét như que củi: As skinny as a twig. (A common simile using the word).
  • Sau trận ốm, nó gầy đét như que củi. (After the illness, he became as skinny as a twig.)

verb

1. to whip

adj

1. dried up