ngẵng
Definition
- Verb:
- To narrow; to constrict; to become narrower: Describes a path, road, passage, or similar physical space becoming significantly tighter or more restricted in width.
- To be narrow; to be tight: Describes the state of a passage being narrow or constricted.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đến chỗ ấy, con đường ngẵng lại. (At that point, the road narrows.)
- Đến đoạn ấy đường ngẵng, xe không qua được. (At that section, the road is too narrow; cars cannot pass through.)
- Lối đi bỗng nhiên ngẵng hẳn. (The passage suddenly became very narrow.)
Advanced Usage
- The verb "ngẵng" is primarily used in descriptive contexts concerning geography, infrastructure, or physical spaces. It often implies an abrupt or noticeable change in width that may hinder movement or passage.
Variants and Related Words
- Thu hẹp (v): to narrow, to reduce in scope or size. (A more common and general synonym).
- Chật hẹp (adj): narrow, cramped. (Describes a state of being narrow).
- Thắt lại (v): to tighten, to constrict. (Can be used literally for objects or figuratively).
Synonyms
- Constrict: To make or become narrower or tighter.
- Narrow: To decrease in width.
- Taper: To diminish gradually in width.
Notes on Usage
- "Ngẵng" is a specific and somewhat literary term. In everyday modern Vietnamese, words like "thu hẹp", "hẹp lại", or simply "hẹp" (adj) are more frequently used to describe something becoming or being narrow.
- It is almost exclusively applied to physical paths, roads, rivers, or passages, not to abstract concepts.