Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Very cold: Describes something, typically food or drink, that has become completely cold after losing its original heat. It emphasizes a state of being thoroughly cooled, often unpleasantly so.
   • Figuratively, cold and distant: Describes emotions, relationships, or atmospheres that have become devoid of warmth, affection, or enthusiasm.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cà phê để lâu đã nguội lạnh. (The coffee left out for a long time had become very cold.)
  • Anh ấy trở về nhà, bữa tối đã nguội lạnh. (He returned home to a very cold dinner.)
  • Sau cuộc cãi vã, quan hệ giữa họ trở nên nguội lạnh. (After the argument, their relationship became cold and distant.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe an emotional state or reception.
  • Cô ấy đón tiếp tôi với thái độ nguội lạnh. (She greeted me with a very cold attitude.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nguội (adj): Cooled, lukewarm; having lost heat but not necessarily to an extreme degree.

  • Canh đã nguội bớt. (The soup has cooled down a bit.)

• Lạnh (adj): Cold; can refer to temperature, feelings, or demeanor.

  • Thời tiết hôm nay rất lạnh. (The weather is very cold today.)
  • Anh ta nhìn tôi bằng ánh mắt lạnh. (He looked at me with a cold gaze.)

Synonyms

• Ice-cold: Extremely cold.
• Frigid: Very cold in temperature; also meaning lacking warmth of feeling.
• Chilly: Unpleasantly cold; unfriendly.

Related Idioms

• Cơm nguội lạnh canh: A phrase depicting a situation where one returns to something that has lost its warmth and appeal, often a relationship or a home.
  • Sau nhiều năm xa cách, tình cảm giữa họ như cơm nguội lạnh canh. (After many years apart, their feelings for each other were like cold rice and soup.)

1. Very cold
   • Về chậm, cơm canh nguội lạnh
     To come home late to very cold rice and soup, to come home late to very cold food