nhậu
- Verb:
- To drink alcohol, especially in a social setting: "nhậu" refers to the act of drinking alcoholic beverages, typically beer or rice wine, often accompanied by food and socializing over an extended period. It carries a casual, colloquial, and sometimes vulgar tone.
- To drink quickly; to down a drink: In some dialects and older usage, it can imply drinking hastily or promptly.
- Verb:
- Tối nay tụi tôi định đi nhậu. (Tonight, we plan to go drinking/eat and drink.)
- Anh ấy thích nhậu với bạn bè cuối tuần. (He likes to drink with friends on weekends.)
- Sao anh nhậu nhanh thế? (Why are you drinking so fast?)
"nhậu nhẹt": This compound intensifies the meaning, emphasizing prolonged, often excessive, drinking and feasting.
- Cả nhóm nhậu nhẹt đến tận khuya. (The whole group drank and ate until late at night.)
"nhậu lai rai": Describes the quintessential style of "nhậu"—drinking slowly and leisurely while nibbling on food and chatting.
- Mấy ông ngồi quán vỉa hè nhậu lai rai. (The men sat at a sidewalk stall drinking and snacking leisurely.)
Chè chén (verb, phrase): A more formal synonym meaning to feast and drink. It is often used interchangeably with "nhậu" but can sound slightly more literary.
- Suốt ngày chỉ biết chè chén. (All day long, all he does is eat and drink.)
Lai rai (adverb): Slowly, bit by bit. Often paired with "nhậu" to describe the pace.
- Uống bia lai rai. (To drink beer slowly.)
- Uống rượu: To drink alcohol (more neutral and standard term).
- Nốc (verb, slang): To chug, to down a drink (implies speed and lack of ceremony).
Đi nhậu: To go out for a drinking/eating session.
- Rảnh không? Đi nhậu không? (Are you free? Want to go for drinks?)
Nhậu xỉn / Nhậu say: To get drunk from drinking.
- Nhậu say quá, về nhà ngủ thôi. (Drank too much, let's go home and sleep.)
Nhậu như hũ chìm: To drink like a fish; to drink excessively (literally: to drink like a sinking jar).
- Ông ấy có tài nhậu như hũ chìm. (He has a talent for drinking like a fish.)
Vui như nhậu: As merry as a drinking party; used to describe a very fun and lively atmosphere.
- Bữa tiệc sinh nhật vui như nhậu. (The birthday party was as fun as a drinking feast.)