Definition

1. Noun:
   • Agama lizard: A type of large lizard belonging to the Agamidae family, often found in Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its size, spiny scales, and ability to change color to some extent.
   • To wander, to roam aimlessly (colloquial, from reduplicated form "nhông nhông"): This meaning is derived from the reduplicated form and is used informally to describe moving about without a specific purpose.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Agama lizard):

  • Trong vườn có một con nhông đang phơi nắng trên tảng đá. (There is an agama lizard sunbathing on a rock in the garden.)
  • Nhông là một loài bò sát khá phổ biến ở vùng nhiệt đới. (The agama is a quite common reptile in tropical regions.)

• Verb (to wander - from "nhông nhông"):

  • Nó cứ nhông nhông ngoài đường cả buổi chiều. (He just wandered around the streets all afternoon.)
  • Đừng có nhông nhông mãi, về nhà học bài đi. (Stop roaming around aimlessly, go home and study.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhông áo tơi": A specific, colorful type of agama lizard (Calotes versicolor), sometimes called the "garden lizard" or "bloodsucker" in English due to its color-changing ability, especially the male's bright red throat during breeding season.
  • Con nhông áo tơi trên cây đang xòe cái yếm đỏ ra. (The garden lizard on the tree is flaring its red dewlap.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhông nhông (reduplicated form): Functions as a verb meaning to wander or loaf about without purpose. This is a colloquial usage.
  • Suốt ngày nhông nhông chẳng làm gì cả. (Loafing about all day doing nothing.)

Synonyms

• Tắc kè, Cắc kè (Gecko): While also a lizard, this refers to a different family (Gekkonidae) known for their adhesive toe pads and distinctive calls. It is a related but different reptile.
• Thằn lằn (Lizard): The general term for lizard.
• Đi lang thang, Đi dạo (to stroll, to wander): Synonyms for the verbal meaning derived from "nhông nhông".

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and formal meaning is the agama lizard.
• The verbal meaning to wander aimlessly is informal and originates from the reduplicated form "nhông nhông". It is important to distinguish this colloquial usage from the noun.

noun

1. agama
   • con nhông áo tơi