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Translation

Also found in: Vietnamese - French

bù đầu

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The Vietnamese word "bù đầu" is an informal expression that means to be extremely busy or overwhelmed, especially with work or tasks. It conveys the idea that someone has so much work to do that they feel buried under it, similar to the English phrase "over one's head."

Usage Instructions:
  • "Bù đầu" is often used in casual conversations to describe a situation where someone is swamped with responsibilities or tasks.
  • It can be used in various contexts, especially related to work, studies, or any situation where there is a lot to manage.
Examples:
  1. Làm bù đầu suốt ngày
    Translation: "To be over head and ears in work the whole day."
    Meaning: This indicates that the person has been busy all day with work and has little time for anything else.

  2. Bù đầu với những con số
    Translation: "To be over head and ears in figures."
    Meaning: This suggests that someone is dealing with many numbers or data, likely in a financial or mathematical context, and feels overwhelmed.

Advanced Usage:
  • You might encounter "bù đầu" used in a more figurative way, such as in discussions about personal life or emotional states, to imply feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities beyond just work.
Word Variants:
  • There are no direct variants of "bù đầu," but it is often used in conjunction with other words to emphasize the type of work or task one is engaged with (e.g., "bù đầu với dự án" meaning "overwhelmed with the project").
Different Meanings:
  • While primarily used to describe being busy with work, "bù đầu" can also imply a sense of confusion or disorganization due to the sheer volume of tasks. For example, someone might say they feel "bù đầu" during exam season due to study overload.
Synonyms:
  • Some synonyms or similar expressions in Vietnamese include:
    • Bận rộn: meaning "busy."
    • Quá tải: meaning "overloaded."
    • Chật chội: meaning "cramped," often used in contexts of time or space.
khẩu ngữ
  1. Over head and ears (in work)
    • làm bù đầu suốt ngày
      to be over head and ears in work the whole day
    • bù đầu với những con số
      to be over head and ears in figures

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