cua bấy
Definition
- Noun:
- Soft-shell crab: A crab that has recently molted its old hard shell and is in the process of growing a new, larger one. During this stage, the new shell is soft, flexible, and edible.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Mùa này là mùa cua bấy. (This season is the soft-shell crab season.)
- Cua bấy có thể chiên giòn và ăn cả vỏ. (Soft-shell crab can be fried crispy and eaten whole, including the shell.)
- Ngư dân phải canh thời gian rất cẩn thận để bắt được cua bấy. (Fishermen must time things very carefully to catch soft-shell crabs.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is specific to a biological state and a culinary ingredient. It is often used in contexts related to fishing, seafood markets, and cooking.
Variants and Related Words
- Cua lột (n): Another common term for "soft-shell crab," literally meaning "molted crab."
- Cua lột và cua bấy là một. (Soft-shell crab and "cua bấy" are the same thing.)
Synonyms
- Soft-shell crab: The direct and most accurate English equivalent.
- Molted crab: A descriptive biological term.
Notes on Usage
- "Cua bấy" refers specifically to the temporary, edible state of the crab after molting. It is not a species name but a condition. The crab is highly prized in cuisine because its entire body is tender and can be consumed without shelling.