Definition

1. Verb:

   • To frolic, to gambol, to romp: To play and move about in a lively, cheerful, and often noisy way, usually without serious purpose.
   • To rush or flock eagerly: To move or gather in a crowd, driven by excitement or curiosity.

2. Noun (archaic/abbreviated):

   • Slave: A shortened, archaic form of "nô lệ" (male slave) or "nô tỳ" (female slave/servant), referring to a person who is the legal property of another.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to frolic):

  • Trẻ con nô đùa trong công viên. (The children frolic in the park.)
  • Nô cả ngày không chịu học. (To frolic the whole day instead of studying.)

• Verb (to rush/flock):

  • Mọi người nô nhau đi xem hội. (People flocked to see the festival.)

• Noun (slave):

  • Chế độ nô lệ đã bị bãi bỏ. (The slavery system was abolished.) [Note: Uses the full compound "nô lệ".]

Advanced Usage

• The verb "nô" often carries a slightly negative or disapproving connotation when used for adults or in contexts where playfulness is inappropriate (e.g., neglecting duties). For pure, positive "play," "chơi đùa" is more neutral.
• As a noun, "nô" is almost never used alone in modern Vietnamese. It is considered an archaic abbreviation found in historical texts or fixed phrases.

Variants and Related Words

• Nô đùa (v): To frolic, to romp (the most common compound for playful activity).

  • Lũ chó con nô đùa trên bãi cỏ. (The puppies romp on the grass.)

• Nô nức (adj/v): Eager, excited; to be eager/to throng.

  • Người dân nô nức đón Tết. (The people are eagerly welcoming Tet.)

• Nô lệ (n): Slave, slavery.

  • Lịch sử ghi nhận những cuộc nổi dậy của nô lệ. (History records slave rebellions.)

• Nô tỳ (n): Maidservant, female slave.

Synonyms

• Frolic: to play and move about cheerfully.
• Gambol: to run or jump about playfully.
• Romp: to play in a lively, boisterous way.
• Flock: to gather or move in a crowd.

Related Idioms

• Nô giỡn: A synonym for "nô đùa," meaning to frolic or play around.

  • Đám trẻ nô giỡn bên bờ suối. (The children frolic by the stream.)

• Nô nức lòng người: An idiom describing a situation that excites and attracts many people.

  • Lễ hội âm nhạc nô nức lòng người. (The music festival excited the public.)

1. Frolic, gambol
   • Nô cả ngày không chịu học
     To frolic the whole day instead of studying