Definition

1. Verb:
   • To probe or clean a cavity by twisting: To insert a thin object into a narrow, hollow space (like an ear or nostril) and rotate it to remove something.
   • To write or scribble very quickly: To produce written text in a rapid, often careless manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng ngoáy tai bằng tăm bông. (Do not probe your ear with a cotton swab.)
  • Anh ấy ngoáy mũi một cách vô ý thức. (He picks his nose unconsciously.)
  • Cô phóng viên ngoáy vội bài báo trước giờ hạn. (The reporter scribbled the newspaper article hastily before the deadline.)

Advanced Usage

• The action is often repetitive and involves a twisting or circular motion of the finger or object.
• When referring to writing, it carries a connotation of speed over neatness or care.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngoáy ngoáy (adv): Doing the action of repeatedly or continuously.
  • Đứa trẻ ngoáy ngoáy vào lỗ hổng trên tường. (The child kept poking and twisting at the hole in the wall.)

Synonyms

• To poke/probe: For the cleaning action.
• To pick: As in "to pick one's nose" ().
• To scribble/scrawl: For the writing action.

Related Idioms

• Ngoáy một cái là xong: To finish something in a flash or with a quick twist of the hand. It emphasizes completing a task very quickly.
  • Bài tập này dễ, ngoáy một cái là xong. (This exercise is easy; it'll be done in a jiffy.)

1. Scrape round in some hollow thing, winkle
   • Ngoái tai lấy ráy ra
     To scrape in one's ear and take the wax out, top winkle wax out of one's ear
   • Ngoáy mũi
     To winkle mucus out of one's nostrils, to pick one's nose
2. Write very quickly, scrawl
   • Ngoáy vội một bài báo
     To scrawl hurriedly a newspaper article