khốn khổ
[xon˧˦ xo˧˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(adjective) miserable; wretched
Adjective
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Lười biếng, trụy lạc và rượu chè quá độ bất hạnh thay đã ra tay, để người mẹ nằm chết cóng giữa những đứa con khốn khổ.Idleness, vice, and intemperance had done their miserable work, and the dead mother lay cold and still amid her wretched children.
Tatoeba sentence #11249194 (CC BY 2.0 FR, tatoeba.org, retrieved 2026-07-31)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Common questions
What does “khốn khổ” mean?
(adjective) miserable; wretched
Is “khốn khổ” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.