Definition

1. Noun:
   • Moth: A small, winged insect, typically active at night, whose larvae (caterpillars) feed on and damage materials like wool, fur, silk, and other fabrics.
   • Moth larva/caterpillar: Specifically refers to the destructive, worm-like larval stage of a moth that consumes textiles, paper, or stored food products.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Quần áo bị nhậy cắn. (The clothing is moth-eaten.)
  • Phải cất len trong túi kín để tránh nhậy. (You must store wool in sealed bags to avoid moths.)
  • Tủ sách cũ có nhiều nhậy. (The old bookcase has a lot of moths/moth larvae.)

Advanced Usage

• "bị nhậy cắn": To be moth-eaten; to be damaged by moths or their larvae.
  • Chiếc áo len này bị nhậy cắn hỏng rồi. (This wool sweater is ruined, it's moth-eaten.)
• "nhậy bột": Flour moth; a type of moth whose larvae infest stored grains and flour.
  • Kiểm tra bột mì xem có nhậy bột không. (Check the flour to see if there are any flour moths.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhậy (alternative spelling): This is a less common variant spelling of the standard word nhậy. They are the same word.
• Bướm đêm: Literally "night butterfly"; the general term for moths, emphasizing the adult, flying insect stage. Nhậy often emphasizes the damaging larval stage or the pest in general.
• Sâu nhậy / con nhậy: Phrases using "sâu" (worm, larva) or "con" (classifier for animals) to specify "moth larva" or "the moth insect".

Synonyms

• Mối: While often translated as "termite," in some contexts, especially regarding damage to paper/books, it can be used similarly to nhậy. However, mối primarily refers to termites that eat wood and cellulose.
• Sâu mọt: Refers to borers or weevils; insects that bore into and damage wood, grains, or seeds. It is a broader term for destructive larvae but is not a direct synonym.

Related Phrases

• Thuốc diệt nhậy: Moth repellent; mothballs.
  • Cho thuốc diệt nhậy vào tủ quần áo. (Put moth repellent in the wardrobe.)
• Tổ nhậy: Moth's nest; a cluster of moth eggs or larvae.
  • Dọn tủ tìm thấy tổ nhậy. (While cleaning the cupboard, I found a moth's nest.)

Notes on Meaning

• The word nhậy strongly implies a harmful, destructive pest, specifically one that consumes organic materials like fabric, paper, or food. It is not used for benign or beautiful moths.
• In modern standard Vietnamese, the more common spelling is nhậy. The spelling nhậy is considered a variant.

1. Moth
   • Quần áo bị nhậy cắn
     Moth-eaten clothing