Má phanh bị mòn.

The brake pad is worn.

Breakdown of Má phanh bị mòn.

• má phanh: the brake pad
• bị mòn: worn

Questions & Answers about Má phanh bị mòn.

What does each word in Má phanh bị mòn mean?

A natural word-by-word breakdown is:

• má phanh = brake pad / brake lining
• bị = a marker often used when something is in an affected, often undesirable, condition
• mòn = worn, worn down, abraded

So the structure is basically:

• má phanh
  • bị mòn
• the brake pad(s)
  • are worn down

Why is má phanh used instead of just phanh?

Because phanh means brake in general, while má phanh refers to a specific part of the brake system: the brake pad or brake lining.

So:

• phanh = the brake system / brake mechanism
• má phanh = the pad/lining that presses by friction

This is similar to the difference between:

• brake and
• brake pad

Does má usually mean cheek? Why does it mean something different here?