Definition

1. Noun:
   • Silver carp or Bighead carp: A type of freshwater fish belonging to the carp family (Cyprinidae). It is characterized by a laterally compressed body, a large head, and small scales. The term "cá mè" can refer to several similar species, most notably the Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and the Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ở Việt Nam, cá mè thường được nuôi trong ao hồ. (In Vietnam, silver carp are often raised in ponds.)
  • Món canh chua đầu cá mè rất ngon. (Sour soup with silver carp head is very delicious.)
  • Cá mè là một loài cá nước ngọt phổ biến. (The silver carp is a common freshwater fish species.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "cá mè" is often used in proverbs and idioms to symbolize commonality or a lack of distinction within a group.
  • "cá mè một lứa": Literally "silver carp of the same brood," this idiom means "six of one and half a dozen of the other" or "they are all the same," implying there is little to no difference between the subjects being compared.
  • "cá mè đè cá chép": Literally "the silver carp overwhelms the common carp," this proverb is used to describe a situation where something ordinary or inferior surpasses something traditionally considered better or more valuable.

Variants and Related Words

• Cá mè hoa (n): Bighead carp (specifically ), identifiable by its mottled coloration.
• Cá mè trắng (n): Silver carp (specifically ).

Synonyms

• Freshwater carp
• Silver carp (for )
• Bighead carp (for )

Related Idioms

• Cá mè một lứa: Six of one and half a dozen of the other; they are all alike.
  • Hai đề án này cá mè một lứa, chọn cái nào cũng được. (These two proposals are six of one and half a dozen of the other; you can choose either.)
• Cá mè đè cá chép: The ordinary surpasses the elite; a dark horse.
  • Không ngờ đội yếu thế lại thắng, đúng là cá mè đè cá chép. (No one expected the underdog team to win; it's a true case of the ordinary surpassing the elite.)

noun

1. Hypophthalmichthys
   • cá mè một lứa
     six to the one and half a dozen to the other