đứt tay

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "đứt tay" translates to "to cut one's finger" in English. This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when talking about accidents that happen while using sharp objects like knives or scissors.

Basic Explanation:

• Meaning: "Đứt tay" literally means to accidentally cut one's finger.
• Usage: It's often used to describe a minor injury that can happen in the kitchen or while doing crafts.

Example:

• "Khi tôi thái rau, tôi đã đứt tay." (When I was chopping vegetables, I cut my finger.)

Advanced Usage:

"Đứt tay" can also be used metaphorically to express that everything has its risks, similar to the saying "everything has its day." In this context, it implies that no matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen.

Variants:

• The phrase can be modified slightly to emphasize the action:
  • "Đứt tay một cái" (to cut one’s finger once).

Different Meaning:

In a broader sense, "đứt tay" can imply any situation where someone gets hurt due to negligence or carelessness, not just limited to the fingers.

Synonyms:

• "Bị thương" (to be injured) - this is a more general term that can apply to injuries anywhere on the body, not just fingers.
• "Cắt" (to cut) - this is a more general term for cutting, but doesn't specify a finger.

Cultural Note:

Accidents like "đứt tay" are common in Vietnamese households, especially when preparing food, and it's often used in warnings to remind people to be careful while handling sharp objects.

Academic

verb

1. to cut one's finger
   • chơi dao có ngày đứt tay
     Everything has it's day