Definition

1. Verb:
   • To turn one's head back, to look back: "ngoái" describes the action of turning one's head or neck to look behind oneself. It often implies a brief or quick glance backward.
   • To look back (figuratively): In a figurative sense, it can mean to think back on or recall the past.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy ngoái lại nhìn khi nghe thấy tiếng gọi. (She turned her head back when she heard the call.)
  • Anh ấy đi thẳng, không hề ngoái lại. (He walked straight ahead without looking back.)
  • Đừng ngoái về quá khứ nữa. (Don't look back at the past anymore.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngoái cổ": This is a common compound phrase meaning "to crane one's neck" or "to turn one's head back." It emphasizes the physical action.
  • Nó ngoái cổ nhìn theo chiếc xe đang đi xa. (He craned his neck to look at the car driving away.)
• "ngoái nhìn": Another common combination meaning "to look back."
  • Cậu bé ngoái nhìn mẹ lần cuối trước khi vào lớp. (The boy looked back at his mother one last time before entering the classroom.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngoảnh: A near-synonymous verb also meaning "to turn (one's head/body)." "Ngoảnh" can imply a slightly fuller turn of the body compared to "ngoái," which is more specific to the head/neck.
  • Ngoảnh mặt đi chỗ khác. (To turn one's face away.)
• Quay đầu: A more general phrase meaning "to turn one's head" or "to turn around."

Synonyms

• Nhìn lại: to look back.
• Quay lại: to turn back (can refer to the whole body).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ngoái lại: This is the standard verb form combined with "lại" to indicate the action of turning back/looking back.
  • Tôi đã ngoái lại nhưng không thấy ai. (I looked back but didn't see anyone.)

Related Idioms

• Đi không ngoái lại: To leave without looking back. This idiom signifies a decisive departure, often without regret or hesitation.
  • Cô ấy bước đi không ngoái lại. (She walked away without looking back.)
• Ngoái đầu về quá khứ: To look back to the past (figurative). It means to dwell on or reminisce about past events.
  • Anh ấy cứ thích ngoái đầu về quá khứ. (He keeps looking back to the past.)

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