Definition

Adjective: - Tipsy, slightly drunk: Describes a state of mild intoxication, where one feels the effects of alcohol but is not fully drunk. It implies a pleasant, light-headed feeling.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau hai ly rượu, anh ấy cảm thấy ngà ngà say. (After two glasses of wine, he felt tipsy.)
  • Cô ấy chỉ ngà ngà say, vẫn có thể nói chuyện bình thường. (She was only slightly drunk and could still talk normally.)
  • Không nên lái xe ngay cả khi bạn chỉ ngà ngà say. (You should not drive even if you are only tipsy.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often describes the initial, often enjoyable, stage of drinking alcohol. It can be used figuratively to describe a state of light, pleasant dizziness not caused by alcohol, though this is less common.

Variants and Related Words

• Say (adj): drunk, intoxicated. A stronger state than "ngà ngà say."
• Lảo đảo (adj): staggering, unsteady. Often a result of being drunk.
• Chếnh choáng (adj): dizzy, lightheaded. Can be from alcohol or other causes.

Synonyms

• Tipsy: Mildly affected by alcohol.
• Buzzed: (Informal) Feeling the slight effects of alcohol.
• Lightheaded: Feeling dizzy, which can be a result of mild intoxication.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ngà ngà men say: A more poetic variant emphasizing the intoxicating effect.
  • Buổi tối với bạn bè trôi qua trong không khí ngà ngà men say. (The evening with friends passed in a tipsy atmosphere.)

adj

1. tipsy