Definition

1. Verb:

   • To sip/slurp (a liquid food): To consume a liquid or semi-liquid food (like soup, porridge, broth) by bringing one's lips to the edge of the bowl or spoon and drawing it in, often producing a soft sound. This action implies eating directly from the container, typically in small, successive amounts.

2. Adjective (often used after 'sưng'):

   • Puffy; swollen: Describes a state of being abnormally swollen or puffed up, often causing a feeling of heaviness or discomfort. Commonly used in the compound "sưng húp".

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Anh ấy húp một bát canh nóng. (He slurped a bowl of hot soup.)
  • Trẻ con được dạy không nên húp canh thành tiếng. (Children are taught not to slurp soup loudly.)

• Adjective:

  • Sau khi khóc, mắt cô ấy sưng húp. (After crying, her eyes were puffy.)
  • Vết muỗi đốt sưng húp lên. (The mosquito bite became swollen.)

Advanced Usage

• "húp soàn soạt": To eat/drink (soup, porridge) with audible slurping sounds, often implying enjoyment or haste.
  • Cậu bé húp soàn soạt bát cháo. (The boy noisily slurped down the bowl of porridge.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hum húp (adj): Slightly puffy/swollen (a reduplicative form indicating a lesser degree).

  • Mặt anh ta hum húp vì thiếu ngủ. (His face was slightly puffy from lack of sleep.)

• Sưng húp (compound adj): Very puffy; badly swollen. (This is a common fixed compound where 'húp' functions as an adjective complement).

  • Đôi mắt sưng húp vì dị ứng. (Eyes badly swollen from allergies.)

Synonyms

• Verb: Húp (cháo, canh) - To slurp (porridge, soup).
• Adjective (in 'sưng húp'): Phù nề (swollen, edematous), Sưng vù (badly swollen).

Notes on Usage

• As a verb, húp is specific to consuming liquid-based foods (soup, broth, porridge, noodles in broth) and often carries a nuance of informality. It is less formal than "ăn" (to eat) or "uống" (to drink).
• The adjectival use is almost exclusively found in the descriptive compound "sưng húp". The standalone adjective form is rare.
• The action of húp can be considered impolite if done loudly in formal settings, though it is common in casual, everyday eating.

verb

1. to drink (song.)