Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slow-witted, dull, dim-witted: Describes a person who is slow in thinking, understanding, or reacting; not sharp or intelligent.
   • Doltish, simple-minded: Suggests a lack of mental acuity or alertness, often appearing foolish or naive.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy trông có vẻ ngù ngờ khi không hiểu câu hỏi đơn giản. (He looked dull-witted when he didn't understand the simple question.)
  • Đừng có ngù ngờ mà tin vào lời hứa của kẻ lạ. (Don't be so simple-minded as to believe a stranger's promise.)
  • Cái nhìn ngù ngờ của đứa trẻ khiến mọi người thương hại. (The child's doltish gaze made everyone feel pity.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngù ngờ như gỗ": (as dull as wood) An idiom emphasizing extreme slowness or lack of intelligence.

  • Nó giải thích mãi mà anh ta vẫn không hiểu, đúng là ngù ngờ như gỗ. (He explained for so long but the man still didn't understand, he's truly as dull as wood.)

• Used to describe a temporary state of confusion or befuddlement.

  • Cơn sốt khiến đầu óc cô ấy ngù ngờ cả buổi. (The fever made her mind foggy all afternoon.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngờ nghệch (adj): Similar meaning, implying foolishness or silliness due to a lack of experience or intelligence.
• Khờ dại (adj): Foolish, silly, simple.
• Đần độn (adj): Mentally slow, stupid (stronger, potentially offensive).

Synonyms

• Chậm hiểu: Slow to understand.
• Đần: Stupid, dull.
• Khờ: Naive, simple.

Related Idioms

• Ngù ngờ như bò đội nón: (As dull as a cow wearing a hat) A humorous idiom describing someone who is very slow or foolish.
  • Bảo mãi không nghe, ngù ngờ như bò đội nón. (I told him repeatedly but he didn't listen, as dull as a cow wearing a hat.)

1. Like a dullard, doltish