Definition

1. Verb:
   • To crane, to stretch upward: To extend or raise a body part, typically the neck, to see something better or to reach something.
   • (Vulgar slang) To be erect: To be in a state of erection (used primarily for male genitalia).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy ngỏng cổ lên để nhìn cho rõ màn hình. (She craned her neck to see the screen clearly.)
  • Đứa trẻ ngỏng người với lấy quyển sách trên giá cao. (The child stretched up to reach the book on the high shelf.)
  • (Slang, context-dependent) Tránh dùng từ này trong ngữ cảnh trang trọng. (Avoid using this word in formal contexts.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• "Ngỏng" as a verb is often used with specific body parts like "cổ" (neck) or "người" (body) to describe the action of stretching or craning. Without an object, its meaning is often ambiguous and relies heavily on context.
• The slang meaning is considered vulgar and is used almost exclusively in informal, coarse speech. It is crucial to understand the context to avoid misinterpretation or causing offense.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngóng (verb): To look forward to, to wait eagerly. (Note: "Ngóng" and "ngỏng" are different words; "ngóng" does not mean "to crane").
• Vươn (verb): To stretch, to extend (a more general and neutral term).
• Ngoẹo (verb): To twist or tilt (e.g., neck), often implying an awkward angle.

Synonyms

• Vươn cao: To stretch upward.
• Nhoài người: To lean or stretch one's body forward.
• Cố với: To try hard to reach.

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Ngỏng cổ: To crane one's neck.
  • Anh ta ngỏng cổ nhìn theo chiếc máy bay. (He craned his neck to watch the airplane.)
• Ngỏng người: To stretch one's body upward.
  • Nó phải ngỏng người lên mới chạm tới nổi cái công tắc đèn. (He had to stretch up to reach the light switch.)

Important Note

The word "ngỏng" has two distinct meanings separated by a significant register gap. The primary, neutral meaning is "to crane/stretch." The secondary, slang meaning is vulgar. Learners should use it with caution, preferably only in the primary sense and with a clear object (e.g., ngỏng cổ). The slang meaning should be recognized for comprehension but avoided in active speech unless fully aware of the very informal context.

1. Crane
   • Ngỏng cổ lên mà nhìn
     To crane one's nack in order to see
2. Be in erection