Definition

1. 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.