Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stupid; foolish; lacking intelligence or common sense: Describes a person who is not smart, who often makes poor decisions or fails to understand simple things.
   • Silly; naive; simple-minded: Can also describe someone who is overly innocent, gullible, or acts in a clumsy, endearing way.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đừng có ngốc như vậy! (Don't be so stupid!)
  • Nó trông có vẻ ngốc, nhưng thực ra rất tốt bụng. (He seems silly, but is actually very kind.)
  • Câu hỏi đó ngốc quá. (That question is too foolish.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngốc nghếch": A slightly more emphatic or descriptive variant, often implying a clumsy, awkward, or endearing kind of foolishness.
  • Cậu ấy hành động ngốc nghếch lắm. (He acts very clumsily/silly.)
• "ngốc đến thế là cùng": An expression meaning "unbelievably stupid/foolish" or "the height of foolishness."
  • Tôi không thể tin anh lại ngốc đến thế là cùng. (I can't believe you could be that foolish.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngốc nghếch (adj): Silly, clumsy, simple-minded (a synonym with a similar nuance).
• Ngốc độn (adj, literary/rare): Extremely stupid, dull-witted.
• Đần độn (adj): Mentally slow, dull (often stronger and more clinical than "ngốc").
• Khờ (adj): Simple, naive, gullible (often with a more innocent, less judgmental connotation than "ngốc").

Synonyms

• Ngu (adj): Stupid, idiot (generally stronger and more offensive than "ngốc").
• Dại (adj): Foolish, unwise (often due to lack of experience).
• Khờ dại (adj): Simple and foolish.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: As an adjective, "ngốc" does not form phrasal verbs. Its usage is primarily attributive or predicative.)

Related Idioms

• "Ngốc như bò": (As stupid as an ox) - A simile meaning very stupid.
  • Nó giải thích rồi mà vẫn không hiểu, đúng là ngốc như bò. (He explained it but you still don't understand, you're as stupid as an ox.)
• "Làm ngốc" / "Giả ngốc": To play dumb, to act stupid.
  • Đừng giả ngốc, tôi biết cậu hiểu mà. (Don't play dumb, I know you understand.)

adj

1. stupid; idiot