Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Overripe, rotten: Describes fruit or other soft organic matter that has ripened excessively, becoming mushy, soft, and often starting to decay.
   • Figuratively, extremely distressed or anguished: Used to describe a state of profound inner turmoil, sadness, or anxiety, often to the point of feeling physically affected.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Quả chuối này đã chín nẫu rồi. (This banana is overripe.)
  • Nghe tin đó, tôi nẫu cả ruột gan. (Hearing that news, I was utterly heartbroken / distressed.)
  • Trời nóng khiến củ khoai bị nẫu ra. (The hot weather caused the potato to become mushy.)

Advanced Usage

• "nẫu nà": A reduplicative form emphasizing the state of being overripe or mushy.

  • Trái hồng chín nẫu nà, không ăn được nữa. (The persimmon is completely overripe and can't be eaten anymore.)

• "nẫu ruột nẫu gan": An idiomatic expression meaning to be extremely worried, anxious, or heartbroken.

  • Chờ con mãi không về, bà nẫu cả ruột gan. (Waiting endlessly for her child to return, she was sick with worry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhũn: Soft, mushy (often from being overripe or soaked). Can be a close synonym in some contexts describing texture.
• Ế: To spoil, to rot (broader term for decay).
• Chín nhũn: Ripe to the point of being mushy (a descriptive phrase).

Synonyms

• Chín quá: Overripe.
• Nhũn nát: Mushy, pulpy.
• Thối rữa: Rotten, putrid (stronger, implies full decay).

Regional/Dialectal Usage

• Pronoun (Central/Southern Vietnamese dialect): A third-person plural pronoun meaning "they," "them," or "those people." This usage is distinct from the adjective form.
  • Nẫu ở miền Trung hay dùng từ này. (They [people in Central Vietnam] often use this word.)
  • Nẫu nói chuyện gì vậy? (What are they talking about?)

Notes on Meaning

This word has two primary, distinct meanings: 1. The standard adjective meaning "overripe". 2. A regional/dialectal pronoun meaning "they" (common in Central and Southern Vietnam). The context of the sentence makes it clear which meaning is intended. The definition and examples above focus on the more widespread adjectival meaning.

1. Over[-ripe]
   • Quả na chín nẫu
     An over-ripe custard-apple