nhoét
Definition
- 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.)