Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wait eagerly, to look forward to with anticipation: "ngong ngóng" describes the action of waiting for something or someone with a strong sense of expectation, hope, and often impatience. It implies a state of longing and frequently involves looking out or paying close attention for the awaited event or person.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cả gia đình ngong ngóng chờ tin anh ấy. (The whole family is eagerly waiting for news from him.)
  • Đứa trẻ ngong ngóng nhìn ra cửa sổ, chờ mẹ về. (The child looks out the window eagerly, waiting for mother to come home.)
  • Chúng tôi ngong ngóng kết quả kỳ thi. (We are anxiously awaiting the exam results.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngong ngóng chờ đợi": to wait in eager anticipation (often used for emphasis).

  • Họ ngong ngóng chờ đợi ngày đoàn tụ. (They are eagerly awaiting the day of reunion.)

• "ngong ngóng tin tức": to be on tenterhooks for news.

  • Cả nước ngong ngóng tin tức về đội tuyển. (The whole country is eagerly awaiting news about the national team.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngóng (verb): to wait for, to look out for. This is the root word. "Ngong ngóng" is its reduplicative form, which intensifies the meaning.

  • Ngóng tin. (To wait for news.)

• Trông ngóng (verb): to hope and wait for. A close synonym.

  • Trông ngóng ngày gặp lại. (To look forward to the day of meeting again.)

Synonyms

• Mong đợi: to expect, to look forward to.
• Trông chờ: to hope for, to await.
• Nôn nóng: to be impatient, to be anxious (focuses more on the impatience).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ngồi ngóng đứng trông: (Idiom) To be in a constant state of anxious waiting, unable to sit still.

  • Nghe tin con ốm, bà ngồi ngóng đứng trông suốt. (Hearing her child was sick, she waited anxiously, unable to rest.)

• Mòn mỏi ngóng trông: (Idiom) To wait until one is worn out, to wait forlornly for a very long time.

  • Người vợ mòn mỏi ngóng trông chồng đi chiến trận. (The wife waited wearily for her husband who went to war.)

1. xem ngóng (láy)