Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Scattered, sparse, meager: Describes something that is present in very small quantity or density within a large space, making it appear lost or insufficient.
   • Insignificant, unsubstantial, empty: Describes content (like a speech, argument, or idea) that is lacking in substance, depth, or solidity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Căn phòng rộng nhưng đồ đạc thì đễnh đoãng. (The room is spacious but the furniture is scattered/sparse.)
  • Bài viết của anh ấy quá đễnh đoãng, thiếu những luận điểm thuyết phục. (His writing is too unsubstantial, lacking convincing arguments.)
  • Khu vườn đễnh đoãng vài bụi hoa. (The garden has just a few sparse flower bushes.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used to create a contrast between a large container/space and the scantiness of its contents.
  • Tri thức đễnh đoãng trong một cuốn sách dày. (Meager knowledge in a thick book.)
• Can describe abstract concepts like plans or thoughts that are poorly developed.
  • Những ý tưởng đễnh đoãng chẳng thể tạo nên một kế hoạch khả thi. (Scattered/Unsubstantial ideas cannot form a feasible plan.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thưa thớt (adj): Sparse, thinly scattered (often for objects or people in space). Less commonly used for abstract concepts like ideas.
• Nghèo nàn (adj): Poor, impoverished. Can refer to both material poverty and poverty of ideas/content, with a stronger negative connotation.
• Sơ sài (adj): Superficial, cursory, done with little care or detail.

Synonyms

• Thiếu thốn: Lacking, deficient.
• Lỏng lẻo: Loose, not tight or dense; can describe weak arguments.
• Rời rạc: Disconnected, disjointed (often for ideas or speech).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Đễnh đoãng như nhà trống: As empty as an unfurnished house. (Emphasizes extreme sparseness or emptiness.)
  • Bài thuyết trình của cô ấy đễnh đoãng như nhà trống. (Her presentation was completely empty/unsubstantial.)
• Nói chuyện đễnh đoãng: To talk in an unsubstantial, insubstantial manner.
  • Đừng nói chuyện đễnh đoãng, hãy đưa ra bằng chứng cụ thể. (Don't talk in an unsubstantial way, provide specific evidence.)

1. Be lost in
   • Phòng thì to mà đồ đạc thì đễnh đoãng
     Such scanty furniture was lost in the immense romm
2. Unsubstantial, empty
   • Bài nói chuyện đễnh đoãng
     An unsubstantial talk