Definition

1. Noun:
   • A barb, a point: A sharp, backward-pointing projection on an object, such as a fishhook, arrow, or spike, designed to catch and prevent easy removal.
   • A bony spine: Specifically, the hard, sharp, bony spine found on the pectoral or dorsal fins of certain fish species.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Mũi tên có ngạnh rất khó rút ra khỏi vết thương. (An arrow with a barb is very difficult to pull out of a wound.)
  • Cá trê có ngạnh rất sắc ở vây ngực. (A catfish has very sharp bony spines on its pectoral fins.)
  • Anh ta bị ngạnh lưỡi câu mắc vào ngón tay. (He got the barb of a fishhook caught in his finger.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cứng ngạnh": This is a compound word (adjective) meaning stubborn, obstinate, or inflexible. It metaphorically compares a person's rigid attitude to the unyielding, hooked nature of a barb.
  • Tính anh ấy rất cứng ngạnh, không chịu nghe lời khuyên của ai. (His character is very stubborn; he refuses to listen to anyone's advice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cứng ngạnh (adj): Stubborn, obstinate. (This is a compound word, not a direct variant of the single noun 'ngạnh').
• Ngạnh ngạnh (adj, colloquial): Somewhat stubborn or prickly in attitude.

Synonyms

• Gai: Thorn, spine (can refer to plant thorns or, less commonly, fish spines).
• Mấu: Barb, hook, jagged point (often on a tool or weapon).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Mắc ngạnh: To be caught on a barb; to get hooked.
  • Con cá đã mắc ngạnh lưỡi câu. (The fish was hooked by the barb.)

Related Idioms

• Cứng như ngạnh cá: (As hard/stubborn as a fish's spine). An idiom emphasizing extreme stubbornness or rigidity.
  • Đừng có cứng như ngạnh cá, hãy linh hoạt một chút. (Don't be as stubborn as a fish's spine; be a little more flexible.)

noun

1. barb
   • tên có ngạnh
     barbed arrow