ngú ngớ

Một chú chó con ngú ngớ nhìn chằm chằm vào chiếc bóng của chính mình.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slow-witted or dim-witted: Describes a person who is perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or slow to understand.
   • Dazed or vacant: Can describe a state of being mentally absent, spaced out, or having a blank, uncomprehending expression.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trông mặt nó ngú ngớ quá. (He looks so slow-witted.)
  • Đừng có ngú ngớ như vậy, tập trung vào! (Don't be so vacant like that, focus!)
  • Nó nghe giảng mà mặt cứ ngú ngớ. (He listened to the lecture with a completely blank expression.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a mildly derogatory or teasing manner to comment on someone's apparent lack of sharpness or alertness in a specific moment. It emphasizes an external, observable simplicity or confusion.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngớ ngẩn (adj): silly, foolish. Often stronger and more directly insulting than "ngú ngớ."

  • Câu hỏi đó ngớ ngẩn quá. (That question is too silly.)

• Khờ khạo (adj): naive, simple, gullible. Focuses more on innocence or lack of worldly experience.

  • Cô ấy trông thật khờ khạo. (She looks so naive.)

Synonyms

• Slow: not quick to understand.
• Vacant: showing no intelligence or interest.
• Simple-minded: lacking subtlety or intelligence.

Related Idioms

• Mặt ngú ngớ: a "blank face" or "vacant look."
  • Nó đứng đó với mặt ngú ngớ. (He stood there with a vacant look.)