Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Stiff; rigid: Describes a physical state where a part of the body, an object, or a material becomes hard, inflexible, and difficult to move or bend, often due to cold, tension, or lack of flexibility.
   • Numb; frozen: Describes a sensation where a body part loses feeling or mobility, often from cold or fear, leading to a temporary state of immobility.

2. Adjective (colloquial):

   • Stunned; dumbfounded; frozen: Describes a mental or emotional state where a person is so shocked, surprised, or scared that they become temporarily unable to react, think, or move.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical):

  • Trời lạnh quá, tay chân tôi đơ hết lại. (It's so cold, my hands and feet have gone completely stiff.)
  • Chân đơ ra không co lại được. (The leg is stiff and cannot bend.)
  • Miếng thịt này nấu bị cứng đơ. (This piece of meat was cooked until it became very hard and stiff.)

• Adjective (Mental/Emotional):

  • Nghe tin đó, cả người cô ấy đơ ra. (Upon hearing that news, her whole body froze [in shock].)
  • Nó đơ người lại vì sợ hãi. (He froze stiff because of fear.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "đơ" is often used in a figurative sense to describe systems, situations, or processes that have stalled, become stuck, or stopped functioning smoothly.
  • Máy tính tôi bị đơ, không click được gì. (My computer is frozen; I can't click anything.)
  • Cuộc đối thoại bỗng nhiên bị đơ. (The conversation suddenly stalled.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cứng đơ (adj): An intensified form meaning "very hard," "stiff as a board," or "completely rigid."

  • Đất đóng băng cứng đơ. (The ground is frozen solid.)

• Đơ người (v phrase): To freeze (in place), to become physically stiff due to shock or fear.

  • Cô ấy đơ người khi thấy con rắn. (She froze when she saw the snake.)

Synonyms

• Stiff: Not easily bent or changed in shape.
• Rigid: Unable to bend or be forced out of shape.
• Numb: Deprived of the power of sensation.
• Frozen: Fixed or motionless, especially from shock or fear.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Đơ ra: To become stiff; to freeze up. Often used for both physical and mental states.

  • Mặt nó đơ ra vì ngượng. (His face froze with embarrassment.)

• Làm đơ: To cause someone to be stunned or speechless (slang).

  • Câu trả lời của anh ấy làm tôi đơ luôn. (His answer left me completely speechless.)

1. Stiff
   • Chân đơ ra
     A stiff leg
   • Cứng đơ
     Very hard; stiff