Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Eager; impatient; keen: Describes a strong, often impatient, desire or craving for something, typically food or satisfaction of a need.
   • Greedy; voracious: Can imply an insatiable or overly eager appetite, not just for food but for experiences or objects.

2. Adverb (in reduplicated form):

   • Háu háu: With eager desire; covetously; avidly. This form intensifies the sense of craving or longing.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thằng bé háu ăn. (The boy is always impatient to eat / is a voracious eater.)
  • Nó háu đói quá. (He is too impatient to satisfy his hunger.)
• Adverb (reduplicated form):
  • Nó nhìn hau háu vào chiếc bánh. (He looked at the cake with covetous eyes / devoured it with his eyes.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, suggesting a lack of restraint or patience.
• "Ngựa non háu đá": A proverb meaning "a young horse is quick to kick." It metaphorically describes a young, inexperienced person who is rash, impulsive, or too eager to show off or fight.

Variants and Related Words

• Háu háu (adv): The reduplicated form used as an adverb to modify verbs, indicating the manner of doing something with intense eagerness.

Synonyms

• Eager: Having or showing keen interest or intense desire.
• Impatient: Restlessly eager.
• Voracious: Wanting or consuming great quantities.
• Avid: Having an eager and enthusiastic interest.

Related Idioms and Proverbs

• Ngựa non háu đá: Literally, "a young horse is quick to kick." Used to criticize youthful impulsiveness, rashness, or an eagerness to engage in conflict without experience or wisdom.

1. Be always iaiet to [have one's desire met]
   • Thằng bé háu ăn
     The little is always impatient to eat
   • Háu đói
     To be impatient to satisfy one's hunger
   • Hau háu (láy)
     To be eagerly desirous
   • Nhìn hau háu
     To look with covetous eyes; to devour (with one's eyes)
   • Ngựa non háu đá
     Young fighting-cook quickly ruffled