Definition

1. Verb (colloquial):
   • To cram, to study intensively in a short period of time: The act of studying a large amount of material in a concentrated, often last-minute manner, typically for an exam or test. It implies rote memorization without deep understanding, focusing only on passing the assessment.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tối nay tôi phải học gạo cho bài kiểm tra ngày mai. (Tonight I have to cram for the test tomorrow.)
  • Anh ấy không học bài thường xuyên, chỉ đến cuối kỳ mới học gạo. (He doesn't study regularly, only cramming at the end of the semester.)

Advanced Usage

• "học theo kiểu học gạo": to study in a cramming style.
  • Học theo kiểu học gạo thì sẽ quên ngay sau kỳ thi. (Studying by cramming means you'll forget right after the exam.)

Variants and Related Words

• Học tủ (verb, colloquial): To study selectively, focusing only on predicted topics for an exam (a related but distinct concept from , which emphasizes the intensity and last-minute nature).
  • Cậu đừng có học tủ, đề thi năm nay rất rộng. (Don't just study predicted topics; this year's exam covers a wide range.)

Synonyms

• Nhồi nhét (verb): To stuff, to cram (often used similarly for studying, with a stronger negative connotation of force-feeding information).
• Cày (verb, slang): To plough through; to study hard for an extended period (can imply more sustained effort than ).

Related Idioms

• Nước đến chân mới nhảy: Literally "Only jump when the water reaches your feet"; equivalent to the English idiom "Until one's back is against the wall." This idiom describes the procrastination that often leads to the need for .
  • Cậu ta luôn nước đến chân mới nhảy, nên lúc nào cũng phải học gạo. (He always procrastinates until the last minute, so he always has to cram.)

1. (khẩu ngữ) Mug up; bone up on