Definition

1. Noun:
   • Hippopotamus: A very large, mostly herbivorous, semi-aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has a large hairless body, a big head with a wide mouth, and spends much of its time in rivers and lakes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hà má là một trong những loài thú có vú trên cạn lớn nhất. (The hippopotamus is one of the largest land mammals.)
  • Chúng tôi nhìn thấy một con hà má đang nằm dưới nước ở công viên quốc gia. (We saw a hippopotamus lying in the water at the national park.)
  • Hà má trông có vẻ hiền lành nhưng thực ra chúng rất nguy hiểm. (Hippopotamuses look gentle but are actually very dangerous.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "hà má" is a direct, single-term noun in Vietnamese for the animal. It is not commonly used in compound phrases or idioms.

Variants and Related Words

• Hà mã (n): This is the more standard and commonly used Vietnamese spelling and term for "hippopotamus."
  • Đàn hà mã đang tắm ở sông. (The herd of hippopotamuses is bathing in the river.)

Synonyms

• Hippo: A common English abbreviation for hippopotamus.
• River horse: A direct translation of the Greek origin of the word "hippopotamus."

Notes on Usage

• "Hà má" is a recognized variant, but "hà mã" is the predominant and recommended spelling in modern Vietnamese. The meaning is identical.

1. Hippopatamus