cáu

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The Vietnamese word "cáu" can be used in different contexts, and it has a few meanings. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand it better:

Basic Meanings:

1. As a Noun:

   • Cáu refers to dirt or grime that accumulates on surfaces. For example, "cáu bám ở cổ" means "dirt stuck on the neck."

2. As an Adjective:

   • It describes something that is dirty or unclean. For example, "chiếc ấm cáu đen" means "a pot dirty with tea dregs."

3. As a Verb:

   • Cáu can mean to be cross or furious. For example, "nó đã cáu rồi, đừng trêu nữa" translates to "he is already furious, stop teasing him."
   • The phrase "phát cáu" means to burst into anger or to become very angry.

Usage Instructions:

• When using cáu as a noun or adjective, it often describes physical dirtiness or a state of being unclean.
• When using it as a verb, it typically relates to emotions, particularly anger or frustration.

Examples:

• Noun: "Cổ tôi có nhiều cáu." (My neck has a lot of dirt.)
• Adjective: "Cái bàn này cáu quá." (This table is too dirty.)
• Verb: "Cô ấy dễ cáu khi mệt." (She gets cross easily when tired.)

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter phrases like "không cáu" meaning "not angry" or "giữ bình tĩnh không cáu" meaning "stay calm and not get angry."
• In informal conversations, you might hear expressions relating to becoming angry in different scenarios, such as "cáu kỉnh" which implies being irritable or grumpy.

Word Variants:

• Cáu bẩn: This can refer to something that is particularly dirty.
• Cáu kỉnh: This refers to someone who is easily irritated or grumpy.

Different Meanings:

• The base meaning of cáu relates to dirtiness, but in emotional contexts, it shifts to describe anger or frustration.

Synonyms:

• For the noun/adjective meaning: bẩn (dirty).
• For the verb meaning: giận dữ (to be angry).

Academic

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