chua ngọt
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Sweet and sour: Describes a flavor profile that combines both sourness (like from vinegar, lime, or tamarind) and sweetness (like from sugar or fruit). It is a fundamental and beloved taste combination in Vietnamese cuisine.
- Figuratively, bittersweet: Can describe a complex emotional state or situation that mixes elements of happiness and sadness, pleasure and regret.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Món canh chua này nấu theo kiểu chua ngọt rất ngon. (This sour soup is cooked in a sweet and sour style and is very delicious.)
- Cô ấy kể lại câu chuyện với một nụ cười chua ngọt. (She recounted the story with a bittersweet smile.)
- Nước sốt chua ngọt là linh hồn của món sườn xào. (The sweet and sour sauce is the soul of the stir-fried pork ribs dish.)
Advanced Usage
- "Chua ngọt lẫn lộn": Mixed feelings of sweetness and bitterness, often used to describe complex emotions.
- Cảm xúc của anh ấy khi trở về quê hương thật chua ngọt lẫn lộn. (His feelings upon returning to his homeland were truly mixed—bittersweet.)
Variants and Related Words
- Chua (adj): Sour, tart.
- Ngọt (adj): Sweet.
- Chua cay (adj): Sour and spicy; can also mean acrimonious or bitter (emotionally).
- Ngọt ngào (adj): Sweet, sweetly (often for flavor, sound, or emotion).
Synonyms
- Vừa chua vừa ngọt: Both sour and sweet (a more descriptive phrase).
- Lạt lẽo (adj): Bland, tasteless (antonym in the context of flavor).
- Đắng (adj): Bitter (a different primary taste).
Related Phrases
- Món chua ngọt: A sweet and sour dish.
- Nhà hàng này nổi tiếng với các món chua ngọt. (This restaurant is famous for its sweet and sour dishes.)
- Giọng chua ngọt: A tone of voice that is sarcastically sweet or bittersweet.
- Cô ấy đáp lại bằng một giọng chua ngọt. (She replied in a sarcastically sweet tone.)
Related Idioms
- Chua ngoa ngọt ngào: (Describes a person who) can be sharp-tongued (sour/mean) one moment and sweet-talking the next.
- Đừng tin cô ta, tính cô ta chua ngoa ngọt ngào lắm. (Don't trust her; her personality is very two-faced—sharp one moment, sweet the next.)
- Sweet and sour (dishes)
- sườn xào chua ngọtbraised sweet and sour pork ribs