Definition

1. Verb:

   • To take off one's hat: The primary meaning of "ngả mũ" is the physical act of removing one's hat, traditionally as a gesture of respect, greeting, or deference.
   • To tip one's hat: It can also describe the gesture of slightly lifting or touching the brim of one's hat as a sign of acknowledgement or polite salute.

2. Verb (figurative usage):

   • To express admiration or respect: In modern usage, "ngả mũ" is commonly used figuratively to mean to show great respect, admiration, or concession to someone's superior skill, achievement, or character.

Usage Examples

• Verb (literal):

  • Khi gặp mặt, ông ấy lịch sự ngả mũ chào. (Upon meeting, he politely took off his hat to greet.)
  • Người đàn ông ngả mũ trước đài tưởng niệm. (The man tipped his hat before the memorial.)

• Verb (figurative):

  • Tôi phải ngả mũ trước sự kiên trì của cô ấy. (I have to take my hat off to her perseverance.)
  • Thành tích của anh ấy khiến mọi người đều ngả mũ. (His achievement makes everyone tip their hats.)

Advanced Usage

• The figurative use is now more common than the literal action in everyday language. It functions as a fixed expression to convey conceding that someone else is better or deserves recognition.

Variants and Related Words

• Cúi chào (v): to bow in greeting. This is a different but related gesture of respect.
• Bái phục (v): to admire or yield to someone's superiority, often with a sense of being defeated or convinced.

Synonyms

• To salute: to show respect, often with a formal gesture.
• To applaud: to show approval or praise, often by clapping.
• To commend: to formally praise or approve of.

Related Idioms

• Ngả mũ bái phục: This is an intensified form, meaning to express extreme admiration or to concede defeat with great respect.
  • Tài năng của cậu ấy thật đáng để ngả mũ bái phục. (His talent is truly worthy of taking off one's hat in profound admiration.)

verb

1. to take off one's hat