Definition

Adjective: 1. Lacking the sense of sight; blind: Describes a person or animal who cannot see. 2. Obscured, blurred, or indiscernible: Describes something that is difficult or impossible to see clearly due to obstruction (e.g., fog, dust) or confusion. 3. (Colloquial, used after an adjective) Extremely strong and pervasive: Describes an unpleasant smell that is very intense and spreads everywhere.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Blind):
  • Anh ấy bị mù từ nhỏ. (He has been blind since childhood.)
  • Tổ chức này hỗ trợ người mù. (This organization supports the blind.)
• Adjective (Obscured/Indiscernible):
  • Sương mù dày đặc khiến tầm nhìn bị mù. (The thick fog made visibility zero/blind.)
  • Căn phòng tối mù, không thấy gì cả. (The room is pitch dark, you can't see anything.)
• Adjective (Strong smell):
  • Mùi hành phi thơm mù cả nhà. (The smell of fried onions is wonderfully strong all over the house.)
  • Thùng rác để lâu, bốc mùi khai mù. (The trash bin has been left for too long and smells extremely of ammonia.)

Advanced Usage

• "mù quáng": To be blind (figuratively); to act irrationally without thought or based on prejudice.
  • Anh ta mù quáng tin theo lời đường mật. (He blindly believes in sweet talk.)
• "chỉ đâu đánh đấy": (A common description for a blind person) Literally "point where, hit there"; to follow instructions mechanically without understanding.
  • Tôi chưa hiểu vấn đề, chỉ biết làm theo kiểu chỉ đâu đánh đấy. (I don't understand the issue yet, I just follow instructions mechanically.)
• "quá mù ra mưa": (Idiom) Literally "past the fog comes the rain". Means that if you delay or push something too far, the situation will become worse or you will lose everything.

Variants and Related Words

• Mù mịt (adj): Extremely foggy, obscure, or confusing; describes a situation with no clear direction or visibility.
  • Tương lai mù mịt. (The future is bleak/uncertain.)
• Mù mờ (adj): Vague, unclear, ambiguous.
  • Những thông tin mù mờ. (Vague information.)
• Sương mù (n): Fog.
• Mù lòa (adj): Completely blind (often used for emphasis).

Synonyms

• Đui (adj, informal): Blind.
• Khiếm thị (adj, formal): Visually impaired.
• Mờ ảo (adj): Illusory, vague (for the "obscured" meaning).
• Nồng nặc (adj): Pungent, strong (for the "strong smell" meaning).

Related Idioms

• "Có mắt như mù": To have eyes but be blind (figuratively); to be ignorant or fail to see something obvious.
  • Sự thật trước mắt mà anh ta có mắt như mù. (The truth is right in front of him, but he is blind to it.)
• "Mèo mù vớ cá rán": (Equivalent to "The devil looks after his own") Literally "A blind cat finds fried fish"; used when someone with little ability or luck unexpectedly gets a great opportunity or result.

adj

1. blind; eyeless ; sightless
   • mèo mù vớ cá rán
     the devil looks after his own