cú mèo

Con cú mèo đậu trên cành cây khô.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Owl (specifically a small owl): "cú mèo" refers to a type of owl, often a small one, characterized by its round head, large eyes, and nocturnal habits. It is a common bird in Vietnam.
   • Scops owl: In zoological terms, "cú mèo" corresponds to birds of the genus Otus, commonly known as scops owls.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong rừng, tiếng cú mèo kêu nghe rất rõ vào ban đêm. (In the forest, the call of the owl is very clear at night.)
  • Con cú mèo đậu trên cành cây khô. (The scops owl is perched on the dry branch.)

Advanced Usage

• "mắt cú mèo": This phrase literally means "owl's eyes" and is used to describe someone with large, round, and often staring eyes.
  • Cô bé có đôi mắt to tròn như mắt cú mèo. (The little girl has big, round eyes like an owl's eyes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cú (n): A more general term for "owl," which can refer to larger species.
  • Tiếng cú kêu báo hiệu điều gì đó. (The hoot of an owl signals something.)
• Chim cú (n): Another way to say "owl" (literally "owl bird").

Synonyms

• Chim lợn (n): Another Vietnamese name for certain owl species, particularly barn owls. Note: This is a different common name, not a direct synonym in all contexts.

Related Idioms

• "Cú mèo gặp chuột": Literally "an owl meets a mouse," implying a natural predator-prey encounter. It can be used to describe a situation where someone meets their match or a natural opponent.
  • Hai đối thủ ấy gặp nhau đúng là cú mèo gặp chuột. (Those two opponents meeting is truly like an owl meeting a mouse.)