Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Dirty, grimy: Covered with or characterized by a layer of dirt, grime, grease, or residue that has accumulated over time, often requiring scrubbing to remove.
   • Furred, scaled (of kettles/appliances): Describing the hard, crusty deposit of minerals (limescale) inside a kettle, boiler, or similar appliance.

2. Noun:

   • Grime, dirt, residue: The substance itself that creates a dirty layer; a sticky or hard accumulation of filth, oil, or minerals.
   • Limescale, tartar: The hard, chalky deposit left by water inside appliances or on teeth.

3. Verb:

   • To be/become angry, cross, or irritated: To enter a state of annoyance or anger, often suddenly or over a minor issue. It implies a quick-tempered or irritable reaction.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cái cổ áo trắng đã cáu đen vì mồ hôi. (The white collar was grimy and black from sweat.)
  • Ấm đun nước cáu nhiều quá, phải vệ sinh thôi. (The kettle is too furred with scale, we must clean it.)
• Noun:
  • Có nhiều cáu bám ở cổ. (There is a lot of grime stuck on the neck.)
  • Cần tẩy cáu trong ấm đun nước. (We need to remove the limescale inside the kettle.)
• Verb:
  • Đừng nói nữa, anh ấy sắp cáu rồi. (Stop talking, he's about to get cross.)
  • Chỉ vì một lỗi nhỏ mà sếp đã cáu. (The boss got angry just because of a small mistake.)

Advanced Usage

• Phát cáu (verb phrase): To burst into anger, to fly into a rage, to lose one's temper.
  • Nghe câu nói đó, anh ta phát cáu ngay lập tức. (Upon hearing that remark, he flew into a rage immediately.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cáu kỉnh (adjective): Irritable, grumpy, easily annoyed.
  • Ông ấy trở nên cáu kỉnh khi mệt mỏi. (He becomes irritable when tired.)
• Cáu bẩn (adjective): Dirty and grimy (emphasizing the unclean state).
• Nổi cáu (verb phrase): Synonymous with ; to become angry.

Synonyms

• Adjective (dirty): Grimy, filthy, soiled.
• Noun (dirt): Grime, residue, deposit, scale.
• Verb (angry): To be irritated, to be annoyed, to get mad, to lose one's temper.

Related Idioms

• Cáu như mắm tôm: (Literally: As irritable as shrimp paste) An idiom describing someone who is extremely and easily angered.
  • Đừng hỏi anh ta lúc này, anh ta đang cáu như mắm tôm. (Don't ask him now, he is as irritable as shrimp paste.)

noun

1. Dirt
   • cáu bám ở cổ
     a neck covered with dirt

adj

1. Dirty
   • chiếc ấm cáu đen những cặn chè
     a pot dirty with tea dregs

verb

1. To be cross, to be furious
   • nó đã cáu rồi, đừng trêu nữa
     stop teasing him, he is already furious
   • phát cáu
     to burst into anger, to fly into a passion