Definition

Adjective: Describes a person or animal with a plump, chubby, or stout body shape, often implying a solid, rounded, and somewhat heavy build. It typically carries a neutral or slightly descriptive tone, not as strong as "obese" (béo phì).

Usage

Used to describe the physical appearance of someone or something that is noticeably full-figured and rounded. It is often used for babies, children, or adults to denote a healthy or substantial plumpness.

Examples

• The baby has mập mạp, rosy cheeks. (Em bé có đôi má mập mạp hồng hào.)
• After the holidays, he looked a bit more mập mạp. (Sau kỳ nghỉ, anh ấy trông có vẻ mập mạp hơn một chút.)
• The mập mạp kitten curled up to sleep. (Chú mèo con mập mạp cuộn tròn lại để ngủ.)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• Comparative/Intensified Form: The word "mập mạp" itself is often considered a more vivid or intensified form of "mập" (plump/chubby). Using "mập mạp" emphasizes the roundness and solidity more than "mập" alone.
• Contextual Tone: While descriptive, it is generally softer and less clinical than "béo" (fat) and much less severe than "béo phì" (obese). It can sometimes be used affectionately, especially for babies and young children.

Variants and Related Words

• Mập (adj): Plump, chubby. The root word, less emphatic than "mập mạp".
• Tròn trĩnh (adj): Rounded, plump (often used for cheeks, face, or body parts).
• Đầy đặn (adj): Full, well-rounded (often used for a face or figure, with a positive connotation).

Synonyms

• Béo (adj): Fat. (Note: Can be more direct or blunt than "mập mạp").
• Phì nhiêu (adj): Plump, fertile (used for people or land; literary).
• Núng nính (adj): Jiggly, wobbly fat (specifically describing soft, jiggly flesh).

Antonyms

• Gầy (adj): Thin, skinny.
• Ốm (adj): Thin, slim (can also mean sick).
• Mảnh khảnh (adj): Slender, slim.

Related Idioms / Phrases

• Mũm mĩm: This is a near-synonym often used interchangeably with "mập mạp" for babies and young children, emphasizing cute, pinchable plumpness.
  • Example: Đứa bé mới sinh trông thật mũm mĩm. (The newborn baby looks so chubby and cute.)

adj

1. corpulent, clubly, portly