cáy
Definition
Noun: 1. Fiddler crab: A type of small crab living in brackish water (where saltwater and freshwater mix), characterized by having one claw significantly larger than the other. It is often used to make fermented paste. 2. (In the idiom "nhát như cáy"): Used figuratively to describe someone who is extremely timid, shy, or cowardly.
Usage Examples
- As a noun (the animal):
- Trẻ con thường bắt cáy ở ven đầm. (Children often catch fiddler crabs by the lagoon.)
- Mắm cáy là một đặc sản của vùng này. (Fiddler crab paste is a local specialty of this region.)
- In the idiom "nhát như cáy":
- Nó nhát như cáy, không dám nói trước đám đông. (He is as timid as a fiddler crab; he doesn't dare speak in front of a crowd.)
- Đừng có nhát như cáy thế, vào đi! (Don't be so chicken; go in!)
Advanced Usage
- The idiom "nhát như cáy" is a fixed, common simile in Vietnamese. It is used exclusively to emphasize a high degree of timidity or fearfulness. The comparison likely stems from the crab's behavior of quickly retreating into its burrow when startled.
Variants and Related Words
- Cua (noun): Crab (the general term).
- Ghẹ (noun): Swimming crab (another type of crab).
- Rúm ró (adjective, informal): Timid, easily frightened. (e.g., - The child is timid in front of strangers.)
Synonyms
- For the idiom "nhát như cáy":
- Nhút nhát (adjective): Shy, timid.
- Hèn nhát (adjective): Cowardly.
- Sợ sệt (adjective): Fearful.
Related Idioms
- Nhát như thỏ đế: (As timid as a hare) - Another idiom with a similar meaning to "nhát như cáy".
- Sợ như chuột thấy mèo: (As scared as a mouse seeing a cat) - Emphasizes being terrified.
noun
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Fiddler crab
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nhát như cáytimid as a rabbit
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