Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely mushy, pulpy, or soggy: Describes a substance, typically food, that has become excessively soft, wet, and formless, often to an unappealing degree. It implies a state beyond simply being soft.
   • Very messy or sloppy: Can describe something that is unpleasantly wet, dirty, or smeared.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trời mưa, đường đất trở nên nhoét. (It rained, and the dirt road became a soggy, muddy mess.)
  • Đứa bé ăn kem làm mặt mũi nhoét hết. (The child ate ice cream and got it smeared all over their face.)
  • Quả chuối chín nhoét. (The banana is overripe and mushy.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in a reduplicated form for emphasis: nhão nhoét or nhoèn nhoẹt.
  • Cơm nhão nhoét không ăn được. (The rice is disgustingly mushy and inedible.)
  • Nó cười nhoèn nhoẹt. (He/she grinned obsequiously/smarmily.) Note: In this idiomatic use for a smile, it carries a negative connotation of being overly ingratiating or insincere.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhão (adj): Soft, mushy, soggy (the base adjective, less intense than nhoét).
• Nhoẹt (adj): A variant spelling/pronunciation of nhoét.

Synonyms

• Mushy: Soft and wet.
• Pulpy: Having a soft, wet consistency.
• Soggy: Heavy with water or moisture.
• Smeared: Spread messily.

Related Idioms

• Cười nhoèn nhoẹt: To grin obsequiously or in an exaggerated, often insincere, manner.
  • Anh ta chỉ biết cười nhoèn nhoẹt trước mặt sếp. (He only knows how to grin smarmily in front of the boss.)