Definition

1. Verb:

   • To diminish, to decrease (in volume, quantity, or intensity): "Ngót" describes the action of something becoming less, often through a process like evaporation, consumption, or compression.
   • To become more compact, to shrink: "Ngót" can also mean to contract or reduce in physical size, often through the loss of moisture or air.

2. Adverb:

   • Nearly, almost, a little less than: "Ngót" is used before a number or quantity to indicate an approximation, meaning it is just slightly under that amount.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Nước trong nồi canh đã ngót đi một nửa. (The water in the soup pot has diminished by half.)
  • Đống rác sau khi đầm chặt đã ngót lại. (The pile of garbage became more compact after being compressed.)

• Adverb:

  • Cô ấy đã sống ở đây ngót hai mươi năm. (She has lived here for nearly twenty years.)
  • Chuyến đi tốn ngót một triệu đồng. (The trip cost a little less than one million dong.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ngon ngót" (reduplicative form, emphasizes approximation): Up to something like, roughly, approximately.
  • Đoạn đường này dài ngon ngót mười cây số. (This road is roughly ten kilometers long.)
  • Công việc đó tiêu tốn ngon ngót ba ngày. (That work consumed approximately three days.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngót nghét (adverb): An informal variant meaning "nearly, almost", often used for emphasis.
  • Chờ ngót nghét một tiếng đồng hồ. (To wait for almost a full hour.)

Synonyms

• Verb: Giảm (to decrease), teo lại (to shrink), hao hụt (to be depleted).
• Adverb: Gần (nearly), khoảng (approximately), xấp xỉ (roughly).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The verbal meaning focuses on a physical reduction (liquid, volume, size).
• The adverbial meaning is used for numerical approximation, indicating a figure that is slightly under the stated round number. It adds a nuance of precision or slight understatement.

1. Diminish, Decrease; become more compact
   • Nước dùng sơi mãi đã ngót nhiều
     The bouillon considerably diminished from boiling for a long time
   • Dưa cải muối đã ngót
     The sour cabbage has become more compact
2. Nearly, a litter less than
   • Mỗi ngày đi làm đạp xe ngót hai mươi ki-lô-mét
     To cycle nearly twenty kilometres to work everyday
   • Ngon ngót (láy, ý giảm)
     Up to something like
   • Đi nữa ngày ngon ngót ba chục ki-lô-mét
     To cover something like thirty kolometres in hafl a day