Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Eagerly, greedily, impatiently: Describes the state of being extremely eager or impatient, often with a sense of rushing or greed, typically used to describe how someone eats, drinks, or does something.
   • With great appetite or desire: Indicates doing something with intense craving or voraciousness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ ăn cơm hau háu. (The child eats rice eagerly/greedily.)
  • Nó uống nước hau háu vì quá khát. (He drinks water greedily because he is so thirsty.)
  • Cậu bé hau háu nghe kể chuyện. (The boy listens to the story with great eagerness.)

Advanced Usage

• "hau háu như..." (eagerly/greedily like...): Used in similes to emphasize the manner.
  • Nó ăn hau háu như hổ đói. (He eats greedily like a starving tiger.)

Variants and Related Words

• Háu (adj): The root word, meaning greedy, eager, or gluttonous. "Hau háu" is the reduplicative form (từ láy), which intensifies the meaning.
  • Đừng có háu ăn như vậy. (Don't be such a glutton.)
• Háu hức (adj): Another reduplicative form, meaning excitedly, eagerly (often in anticipation).
  • Bọn trẻ háu hức chờ đợi ngày sinh nhật. (The children are excitedly waiting for the birthday.)

Synonyms

• Hăm hở (adj): Eagerly, enthusiastically (often with positive energy).
• Ngấu nghiến (adv): Devouringly, wolfishly (specifically for eating quickly and greedily).

Notes on Usage

• Word Type: "Hau háu" is primarily used as an adverb modifying verbs (like ăn, uống, nghe) but is classified as a descriptive adjective (tính từ) in Vietnamese grammar when describing the manner of an action.
• Style: The word is informal and vivid, commonly used in spoken language and descriptive narratives. It often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation when describing greed, but can be neutral when describing simple eagerness.
• Structure: It is a reduplicated word (từ láy) based on the root "háu". Reduplication often adds emphasis or a descriptive quality.

1. xem háu (láy)