Definition

1. Verb:
   • To dive, to plunge (into water): "ngụp" describes the action of submerging or sinking into water, often briefly or repeatedly. It typically implies a full or partial immersion of the body or an object beneath the water's surface.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đứa trẻ thích ngụp trong hồ bơi. (The child likes to dive/plunge in the swimming pool.)
  • Con thuyền nhỏ ngụp xuống rồi lại nổi lên giữa sóng lớn. (The small boat plunged under and then resurfaced among the big waves.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngụp lặn": This is a common compound verb meaning "to dive and swim underwater" or figuratively, "to struggle through difficulties".
  • Anh ấy ngụp lặn dưới đáy biển để tìm ngọc trai. (He dives to the seabed to look for pearls.)
  • Ngụp lặn trong công việc. (To be swamped/immersed in work.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lặn (verb): To dive, to submerge. While "lặn" often implies a more deliberate or sustained dive (e.g., scuba diving), "ngụp" often suggests a quicker, more abrupt plunge or a bobbing motion.
• Chìm (verb): To sink. "Chìm" usually indicates sinking and staying down, whereas "ngụp" often involves going under and coming back up.

Synonyms

• Dive (v): lao xuống nước.
• Plunge (v): nhào xuống, lao mình xuống.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a single verb, "ngụp" is not typically used with particles to form phrasal verbs in the same way English verbs are. Its core meaning is expressed in combinations like "ngụp xuống" (to plunge down).

Related Idioms

• Ngụp trong khó khăn: (To be) plunged into difficulties. This is a figurative use.
  • Công ty đang ngụp trong khó khăn tài chính. (The company is plunged into financial difficulties.)

1. Dive, plunge (into the water)