ngòm

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The Vietnamese word "ngòm" has a couple of main meanings that can be helpful for learners to understand.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "ngòm" to describe darkness in various contexts, especially when talking about nighttime or situations with no light.
• It can also be used when discussing food or flavors, particularly when you want to convey a strong sense of bitterness.

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter "ngòm" in literary works or poetry, where the depth of darkness or intensity of bitterness is emphasized for effect. It can add a dramatic flair to descriptions.
• In informal conversations, you might come across phrases like "tối ngòm" to emphasize how dark it is outside.

Word Variants:

• While "ngòm" is often used on its own, it can also appear in phrases or compounds, such as "tối ngòm" (pitch dark) or "đắng ngòm" (very bitter).

Different Meanings:

• The primary meanings revolve around darkness and bitterness, and it is important not to confuse "ngòm" with other similar-sounding words that might have different meanings.

Synonyms:

• For darkness, synonyms might include "tối" (dark) or "đen" (black).
• For bitterness, you might use "đắng" (bitter) or "chát" (sour/bitter).

Academic

1. Pitch [dark], deep [black]
   • Đêm ba mươi trời tối ngòm
     On the night of the thirtieth of the lunar month, it is pitch dark
2. Very [bitter]
   • Quả đắng ngòm
     A very bitter fruit