hom hem

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The Vietnamese word "hom hem" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that appears wasted, decrepit, or in poor health due to a long illness or lack of care. It often refers to a person’s physical appearance, especially their face, which can look gaunt or unhealthy.

Usage Instructions:

You can use "hom hem" to describe someone who has been sick for a long time or someone who looks weak and frail. It's important to use this word with sensitivity, as it can imply that a person is suffering.

Examples:

1. Mặt mũi hom hem - This phrase means "a wasted face." You might say: "Sau khi ốm nặng, mặt mũi anh ấy hom hem đi nhiều." (After being seriously ill, his face became wasted.)
2. Cụ già hom hem - This means "a decrepit old man." For example: "Cụ ông đó rất hom hem, cần được chăm sóc." (That old man is very decrepit and needs care.)

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "hom hem" can also be used metaphorically to describe places or things that are in a state of decay or neglect. For example, you might say: "Ngôi nhà này đã trở nên hom hem sau nhiều năm không có người ở." (This house has become decrepit after many years of being uninhabited.)

Word Variants:

There aren't many direct variants of "hom hem," but you might encounter related terms like: - Hom hêm: A slight variation, but generally means the same. - Gầy gò: This means "thin" or "scrawny," and is often used in a similar context.

Different Meanings:

While "hom hem" primarily refers to a person's physical state, it can also convey a sense of neglect or deterioration in broader contexts, such as buildings or objects.

Academic

1. Wasted, decrepit
   • Đau ốm lâu ngày mặt mũi hom hem
     To have a wasted face after a long illness
   • Cụ già hom hem
     A decrepit old man