Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of small crab: "kẹ" is a dialectal word, primarily used in some regions of Vietnam, that refers to a small crab, similar to the more standard word "ghẹ".
   • Something empty or hollow: In a figurative sense, it can describe something that is empty, hollow, or lacking substance (e.g., a seed or nut with no kernel).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Crab):

  • Hôm nay chợ có bán kẹ tươi. (The market is selling fresh small crabs today.)
  • Món kẹ hấp là đặc sản của vùng này. (Steamed small crabs are a specialty of this region.)

• Noun (Something empty):

  • Hạt này bị kẹ, bên trong không có gì. (This seed is hollow; there's nothing inside.)
  • Mua phải dừa kẹ thì thật là xui. (It's really unlucky to buy a coconut with no meat.)

Advanced Usage

• "ăn kẹ": This is a colloquial or idiomatic expression meaning to eat at someone else's expense, to freeload, or to take advantage of someone's generosity.
  • Anh ta suốt ngày đi ăn kẹ bạn bè. (He's always freeloading off his friends.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ghẹ (n): The standard, more widely used word for a small crab.

  • Ghẹ thường được nướng muối ớt. (Small crabs are often grilled with salt and chili.)

• Kẹt (adj): While similar in sound, this is a different word meaning "stuck" or "jammed". Do not confuse with "kẹ".

  • Xe tôi bị kẹt giữa đường. (My car got stuck on the road.)

Synonyms

• Cua nhỏ: small crab.
• Ở chùa (slang for "ăn kẹ"): to freeload (literally: to stay at a pagoda).

Related Phrases

• Ăn kẹ: As mentioned in "Advanced Usage", this is a fixed phrase. It functions as a verb phrase meaning to eat on someone else's tab.
  • Hôm nay tôi phải đi ăn kẹ nhà anh ấy. (Today I have to go eat at his place/on his dime.)

Related Idioms

• "Kẹ như thóc giống": As empty as seed rice (a simile describing something utterly hollow or worthless).
  • Lời hứa của hắn kẹ như thóc giống. (His promises are as empty as a hollow seed.)

1. (tiếng địa phương) như ghẹ