Definition

1. Noun:

   • Core, wick: The central part of a candle or lamp, typically the wick. For example, "nòng nến" means the wick of a candle.
   • Stretcher, last: A tool inserted into something (like a shoe) to shape or widen it. For example, "nòng giày" means a shoe stretcher or shoe last.
   • Barrel: The cylindrical tube of a firearm through which the projectile is fired. For example, "nòng súng" means a gun barrel.
   • Guide sheet: A lined or gridded sheet of paper placed underneath a blank sheet to guide straight writing.

2. Verb:

   • To insert, to thread, to fit in: The action of inserting a core, wick, or stretcher into something. For example, "nòng bấc vào đèn" means to thread a wick into a lamp.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Nòng nến đã cháy hết. (The candle wick has burned out.)
  • Anh ấy dùng nòng giày để làm rộng đôi giày. (He used a shoe stretcher to widen the shoes.)
  • Nòng súng cần được vệ sinh thường xuyên. (The gun barrel needs to be cleaned regularly.)
  • Để viết thẳng hàng, cô ấy đặt một tờ giấy nòng bên dưới. (To write in straight lines, she placed a guide sheet underneath.)

• Verb:

  • Bà tôi thường tự nòng bấc vào đèn dầu. (My grandmother often threads the wick into the oil lamp herself.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nòng cốt": Core, backbone, key element (often used figuratively for people or essential parts of a system or organization).
  • Anh ấy là nhân vật nòng cốt của dự án. (He is a key figure in the project.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nong (noun): A type of wide, flat bamboo basket. (Note: This is a different word, often confused due to similar spelling but different tone and meaning).
• Lõi (noun): Core, heart (e.g., of a fruit, issue). A synonym in the sense of central part, but not used for tools or gun barrels.
• Ống (noun): Tube, pipe. A related concept for cylindrical objects.

Synonyms

• Lõi (for core/wick)
• Ruột (for core, interior)
• Khuôn (for last, mold - as in "khuôn giày")

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Nòng súng: Gun/rifle barrel.
• Nòng nến: Candle wick.
• Nòng giày: Shoe stretcher; shoe last.
• Nòng bấc: (To) thread a wick. (Note: "bấc" specifically means wick).

Notes on Usage

• The word "nòng" is a specific technical term. Its meaning depends entirely on the noun it is paired with (e.g., nến, súng, giày). It is rarely used alone without a clarifying word.
• The verb form is less common in modern daily conversation but is still understood, especially in contexts involving traditional items like oil lamps.

1. Core
   • Nòng nến
     The core of a candle
2. Stretcher
   • Cái nòng giày
     a shoe stretcher
3. Barrel
   • Nòng súng
     A rifle barrel
4. Insert, fit in
   • Nòng bất vào đèn
     To fit a wick into a lamp