Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly full, not completely full: Describes the state of having eaten some food, feeling somewhat satisfied but not fully satiated or completely full.
   • Partially satisfied (from eating): Indicates a feeling of having eaten enough to curb hunger, but not to the point of being full.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tôi ăn một bát phở nhỏ nên chỉ thấy lửng dạ. (I ate a small bowl of pho, so I only feel slightly full.)
  • Ăn một chút hoa quả cho lửng dạ rồi chờ ăn tối. (Eat some fruit to take the edge off your hunger and wait for dinner.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ăn lửng dạ": This is the most common collocation, meaning "to eat just enough to not be hungry" or "to eat a light snack."
  • Buổi chiều, bà thường ăn lửng dạ một củ khoai. (In the afternoon, she usually has a light snack of a sweet potato.)
• The state of lửng dạ is often intentional, to avoid being too full before a main meal or to temporarily satisfy hunger.

Variants and Related Words

• Lưng lửng: An adjective with a similar meaning, often used interchangeably in some contexts to mean "half-full" or "moderate." It can apply to both physical fullness and abstract concepts like a half-full container.
  • Bụng lưng lửng. (A half-full stomach.)
• No: Full, satiated (antonym).
• Đói: Hungry (antonym).

Synonyms

• Hơi no: A bit full.
• Đỡ đói: Less hungry, having alleviated hunger.

Notes on Meaning

• lửng dạ specifically describes the physical sensation in the stomach after eating a modest amount. It does not describe emotional satisfaction or the quality of food.
• The word is neutral and simply states a level of satiety.

1. (Ăn lửng dạ) Not to eat one's fill