Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pleasant to the eyes, visually impressive: Describes something that is beautiful, spectacular, or magnificent to look at, often creating a sense of admiration or awe in the viewer.
   • Spectacular, magnificent, breathtaking: Often used to describe grand, impressive, or stunning sights, scenes, or achievements that captivate the viewer.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cảnh hoàng hôn trên biển thật ngoạn mục. (The sunset over the sea is truly spectacular.)
  • Buổi trình diễn pháo hoa rất ngoạn mục. (The fireworks display was very breathtaking.)
  • Anh ấy có một bộ sưu tập nghệ thuật ngoạn mục. (He has a magnificent art collection.)

Advanced Usage

• "đạt thành tích ngoạn mục": to achieve a spectacular result.
  • Đội tuyển đã đạt thành tích ngoạn mục tại giải đấu. (The team achieved a spectacular result at the tournament.)
• "một cảnh tượng ngoạn mục": a spectacular sight/scene.
  • Từ đỉnh núi mở ra một cảnh tượng ngoạn mục. (From the mountain peak, a spectacular sight unfolds.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngoạn (root, literary): To enjoy, to appreciate (often scenery, art). This is the root found in compounds.
  • Thưởng ngoạn (v): to enjoy the view, to appreciate (scenery).
• Mục (root): Eye, sight. This is the root found in compounds.
  • Mục đích (n): purpose, aim (different meaning).

Synonyms

• Đẹp mắt: Pleasing to the eye, good-looking. (More common, less intense than ).
• Tráng lệ: Majestic, splendid, magnificent. (Emphasizes grandeur and splendor).
• Hùng vĩ: Majestic, grand, sublime. (Often used for natural landscapes).
• Ngoạn ngục (archaic/poetic variant): An older or poetic form with the same meaning.

Notes on Meaning and Usage

• Nuance: carries a stronger connotation than simply "pretty" or "nice to look at" (). It implies a level of impressiveness, grandeur, or awe-inspiring beauty that is worthy of admiration and contemplation.
• Formality: It is a literary and somewhat formal word, more commonly found in writing, descriptive texts, or formal speech than in casual everyday conversation.
• Scope: It can describe natural scenery (mountains, sunsets), human-made spectacles (fireworks, architecture, performances), or even abstract achievements viewed as impressive "sights" (e.g., a spectacular victory, a magnificent collection).

1. pleasant to the eyes