Definition

Noun: 1. Vinegar: A sour-tasting liquid produced through the fermentation of ethanol, primarily used as a condiment, seasoning, or preservative in cooking. 2. (In traditional Vietnamese cuisine) A sour soup/broth: A soup or broth made with souring agents like star fruit (khế) or fermented rice (mẻ), as in giấm cá (sour fish soup).

Usage Examples

• (My mother often adds a little vinegar to the salad dressing.)
• (This spring roll needs a dipping sauce mixed with vinegar.)
• (In Northern Vietnam, sour fish soup is a distinctive dish.)

Advanced Usage

• "Dội giấm" / "Tạt giấm": To splash or pour vinegar (onto something). This can be used literally in cooking or figuratively to describe an action that adds a sharp, critical, or sobering element to a situation.
  • Cô ấy như dội một gáo giấm vào buổi tiệc vui vẻ. (She was like splashing a ladle of vinegar onto the cheerful party - meaning she said something that dampened the mood.)
• "Chua như giấm": As sour as vinegar. A common simile used to describe a very sour taste or, metaphorically, a person's sharp, unpleasant speech or attitude.
  • Giọng nói của bà ấy chua như giấm. (Her tone of voice is as sour as vinegar.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giấm gạo (n): Rice vinegar.
• Giấm táo (n): Apple cider vinegar.
• Giấm bỗng / Giấm thanh (n): A type of vinegar traditionally made from the lees or residue of rice wine fermentation.
• Dấm (n): A common alternate spelling for , especially in Southern Vietnam.
• Chua (adj): Sour; acidic. Describes the primary taste of vinegar.

Synonyms

• Vinegar (English equivalent): The direct translation for the condiment.
• Acid (in a broad chemical sense): .
• Souring agent: .

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Giấm chua, dưa khú: Vinegar is sour, pickles are spoiled. An idiom describing a situation where everything seems to be going wrong or turning bad.
• Ăn cơm với giấm: To eat rice with vinegar. An idiom implying a life of hardship, bitterness, or poverty.

noun

1. vinegar