The Vietnamese word "chệch" is a verb that means to be slanted or to be off. It describes something that is not aligned correctly or deviates from a straight or expected path.
Ngậm tẩu thuốc chệch sang một bên mép: This means "to hold a pipe slanted to one side of one's mouth." Here, "chệch" describes the position of the pipe being tilted or not straight.
Bắn chệch mục tiêu: This translates to "to fire off the mark" or "to fire wide of the mark." In this context, it means that the shot did not hit the intended target.
Đi chệch đường lối: This means "to be off the line" or "not to keep to the line (policy)." It indicates that someone is deviating from an established plan or guideline.
In more nuanced contexts, "chệch" can also refer to situations involving moral or ethical deviations. For example, if someone is not adhering to a set of values or principles, you might say they are "chệch hướng" (off course).
While "chệch" primarily refers to physical slanting or deviation, it can also imply a lack of alignment in thoughts, actions, or policies.