Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Cool (temperature): A pleasant, moderately low temperature that provides relief from heat. It describes weather, wind, or objects that are not warm.
   • Fresh / Refreshing: Describes something that provides a pleasant, invigorating, and cool sensation, often related to air, food, or drink.
   • Cooling (effect): Describes the property of something (like food, medicine, or fabric) that induces a sensation of coolness in the body.

2. Adjective (figurative):

   • Sarcastic / Bitingly sweet: Describes speech or a tone that is subtly mocking, scornful, or ironically sweet, often carrying hidden criticism or anger.

3. Adjective (colloquial, measurement):

   • Slightly short / Light: Used in market contexts to indicate a weight that is just under the stated amount.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (temperature/feeling):

  • Sáng nay trời mát. (It is cool this morning.)
  • Cơn gió mát thổi qua. (A cool breeze blew by.)
  • Uống nước dừa cho mát. (Drink coconut water to feel cool.)

• Adjective (figurative):

  • Cô ấy nói câu rất mát. (She made a very sarcastic remark.)

• Adjective (measurement):

  • Cân bị mát một lạng. (The scale is short by one lạng [a traditional unit].)

Advanced Usage

• "mát mẻ": pleasantly cool and fresh (reduplication for emphasis).

  • Thời tiết miền Bắc vào thu thật mát mẻ. (The weather in the North in autumn is truly pleasant and cool.)

• "mát rượi" / "mát lạnh": very cool, refreshingly cold.

  • Nước suối mát rượi. (The stream water is ice-cold and refreshing.)

• "mát mặt": to feel pleased, proud, or have one's honor satisfied (idiomatic).

  • Con thi đỗ làm bố mẹ mát mặt. (The child passing the exam made the parents proud.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mát tay (adj): literally "cool hands"; describes a person who is skilled or has a lucky touch, often in gardening, healing, or business.

  • Bà ấy trồng cây rất mát tay. (She has a very lucky/green thumb for planting trees.)

• Làm mát (v): to cool down, to make something cool.

  • Quạt để làm mát phòng. (The fan is to cool down the room.)

Synonyms

• Cool: for temperature.
• Fresh / Refreshing: for air or sensation.
• Sarcastic / Caustic: for speech.
• Short / Underweight: for measurement.

Related Idioms

• Ăn cho mát (Eat for coolness): An ironic or sarcastic retort, equivalent to "Save your breath" or "Talk to the hand," dismissing someone's talkative or critical remarks.

  • Anh cứ nói đi, tôi nghe cho mát. (You just keep talking, I'll listen for "coolness" [i.e., I'm not taking it seriously].)

• Cười mát: to give a scornful, sarcastic, or cold smile.

  • Cô ấy chỉ cười mát rồi bỏ đi. (She just gave a scornful smile and left.)

adj

1. cool ; fresh
   • sáng này trời mát
     It is cool this morning
   • mát rượi
     very cool