ngớ

Thân thiện

Một người đàn ông đứng ngớ người ra trước cửa hàng.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stupefied; Dumbfounded: Being in a state of stunned silence or mental numbness due to sudden shock, surprise, or bewilderment. It describes a temporary inability to think or react.
   • Blank; Vacant: Having a dazed or absent expression, often with the mouth slightly open, indicating a lapse in attention or comprehension.

Usage Notes

• "Ngớ" is almost exclusively used in the idiomatic phrase "ngớ người" or "ngớ người ra". It is very rare to see "ngớ" used alone as an independent adjective.
• The phrase describes a physical and mental state of being frozen or stunned.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (in phrase):
  • Anh ấy đứng ngớ người ra vì đánh rơi mất ví tiền. (He stood stupefied when realizing he had lost his wallet.)
  • Nghe tin đó, cô ấy ngớ người, không nói được lời nào. (Hearing that news, she was dumbfounded and couldn't say a word.)
  • Đừng có ngớ người ra như thế, trả lời câu hỏi đi! (Don't stand there looking so blank, answer the question!)

Advanced Usage

• The state of "ngớ" is typically a momentary reaction. It implies being "caught off guard" or "taken aback."

Variants and Related Words

• Ngớ người / Ngớ người ra (adj phrase): The standard form meaning to be stupefied or dumbstruck.
• Ngẩn ngơ (adj): To be dazed, absent-minded, or in a wistful state, often for a longer period and sometimes due to longing or distraction. It is a related but distinct state from the sudden shock of "ngớ người".

Synonyms

• Stupefied: Made unable to think or feel properly.
• Dumbfounded: Greatly astonished or amazed.
• Flabbergasted: Extremely surprised.
• Blank: Showing a lack of understanding or reaction.

Related Idioms

• Đứng hình: A modern, colloquial idiom with a very similar meaning: to freeze (like a frozen image), to be stunned motionless.

Học thuật

1. Stupefied
   • Đứng ngớ người ra vì đánh rơi mất ví tiền
     To stand stupefied when realizing one has lost one's wallet