Definition

1. Noun:

   • The seventh Earthly Branch: In the traditional Vietnamese and East Asian zodiac system, "ngọ" is the seventh of the twelve Earthly Branches, symbolized by the horse.
   • Noon, midday: "Ngọ" refers to the period of the day around noon, specifically the two-hour block from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the traditional timekeeping system.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to noon: Used to describe something occurring at or related to midday.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Earthly Branch):

  • Năm nay là năm Ngọ. (This year is the Year of the Horse.)
  • Ông ấy tuổi Ngọ. (He was born in the year of the horse.)

• Noun/Adjective (Time):

  • Mặt trời lên cao nhất vào giờ Ngọ. (The sun is at its highest point at noon.)
  • Chúng tôi hẹn gặp nhau đúng ngọ. (We arranged to meet exactly at noon.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đúng ngọ": Exactly at noon, sharp at midday.

  • Tiếng chuông nhà thờ vang lên đúng ngọ. (The church bell rings exactly at noon.)

• "Giờ Ngọ": The noon hour, the time of Ngọ (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.).

  • Theo lịch can chi, giờ Ngọ là lúc mặt trời lên cao nhất. (According to the celestial stem and earthly branch calendar, the hour of Ngọ is when the sun is at its zenith.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngọ môn (noun): Meridian Gate (the main southern gate to the Imperial City of Huế, historically the gate the emperor passed through at noon). This is a proper noun compound.
• Trưa ngọ (phrase): High noon, the peak of midday.
  • Nắng trưa ngọ thật gắt. (The high noon sun is very harsh.)

Synonyms

• Buổi trưa: Noon, midday (more common in modern daily speech).
• Giữa trưa: Midday, noon.
• Chính ngọ: High noon, solar noon (the exact moment the sun crosses the local meridian).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The meaning as an Earthly Branch is primarily used in horoscopes, astrology, the lunar calendar, and historical contexts.
• The meaning as noon is used in formal, literary, or traditional contexts. In everyday modern conversation, "trưa" is more commonly used for "noon."

1. The seventh Earthly Branch (symbolized by the horse)
2. Noon, midday
   • Ăn cơm trưa lúc đúng ngọ
     To have one's lunch at noon sharp
   • Giờ ngọ
     Midday, noontime
   • Tuổi ngọ
     Born in the year of the horse