tắt

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [tat̚˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [tak̚˦˧˥]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [tak̚˦˥]

From Proto-Vietic *p-sət ~ *p-sat. Cognate with Muong Bi thắt, Chut [Rục] pəsat⁷. Also compare Mang hat⁷ (“to turn off”) (from earlier *s- through regular debuccalization in Mang), Kuy [Souei] pəsat ("to extinguish").

Unlikely to be related to Proto-Bahnaric *pat (“to extinguish”), Proto-Katuic *pat (“extinguished (of fire)”), Proto-Khmuic *-pət (“to extinguish”), unless there was an infix *-s- (which is otherwise unknown within Austroasiatic) or metathesis of a presyllable (*s-p- > *p-s-). The first scenario can almost be safely disregarded, but the second is slightly more plausible since this root is attested both on its own and accompanied by presyllables and/or prefixes across Austroasiatic branches, plus the existence of the Souei cognate above. Still, it might just be coincidental.

tắt • (必, 𢴑, 㴽, 𤎕, 熄)

1. (ambitransitive) (of fire) to be out; to put out; (of light source) to stop glowing

   lửa tắt ngúm ― the fire is completely out

   nắng tắt ― the sun sets (literally, “the sunlight fades”)

2. to switch off, turn off, shut down

   Antonym: bật

   tắt ti vi ― to turn off the TV

3. to disappear; to fade away; to cease to exist (temporarily or permanently)

   Nụ cười trên môi vụt tắt. ― The smile on the lips suddenly disappeared.

   Hi vọng đã tắt ― Hope has faded.

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

tắt • (必, 悉, 𢴑, 𨄠)

1. (of path) short; (of movement) taking a shorter route

   đường tắt ― shortcut

2. (linguistics) abbreviated; short

   cách nói tắt ― abbreviated speech