ngấu

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The Vietnamese word "ngấu" is an informal term that has a few related meanings. Let's break it down for better understanding:

Basic Meaning

1. Gobble/Devour: The primary meaning of "ngấu" is to eat something quickly and greedily. For example, if someone eats a whole chicken in a short amount of time, you could say they "ngấu" the chicken.

Usage Instructions

• Use "ngấu" when you want to describe someone eating something in a fast or greedy manner. It often implies a sense of urgency or extreme hunger.

Examples

• Ngấu một lúc hết cả con gà: This means "to gobble a whole chicken in a moment." It emphasizes how quickly and eagerly someone has eaten the chicken.
• Đói ngấu: This phrase means "to be hungry to a high degree" or "to be starving." It indicates a strong feeling of hunger.

Advanced Usage

"Ngấu" can also be used metaphorically to describe situations beyond eating. For example, if someone is consuming information or experiences quickly and eagerly, you might say they are "ngấu" knowledge or experiences.

Word Variants

• Ngấu nghiến: This variant means to chew hard or to chew noisily, often used when someone is eating something crunchy or tough.

Different Meanings

• Besides its primary meaning related to eating, "ngấu" can imply being at a high degree of something, such as hunger or ripeness (like in the example about fish pickle).

Synonyms

• Nuốt: This means "to swallow," and while it doesn’t carry the same connotation of greediness, it relates to eating.
• Ăn ngấu nghiến: This phrase translates to "eat greedily" and conveys a similar meaning as "ngấu."

Academic

1. (thông tục) Gobble, devour
   • Ngấu một lúc hết cả con gà
     To gobble a whole chicken in a moment
2. Ripe
   • Mắm cá này ngấu rồi
     This fish pickle is ripe
3. To ahigh degree
   • Đói ngấu
     To be hungry to a high degree, to be starving with hunger