Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Slimy; viscous; sticky: Describes a substance that is thick, sticky, and often slippery to the touch, like mucus, certain bodily fluids, or some cooked foods.
   • Oily; greasy: Can describe a surface coated with oil or grease, making it slippery.

2. Noun:

   • Motor oil; lubricant; grease: A thick fluid used to lubricate engines and machinery. (Note: This is a specific, common usage for the noun form).

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Con ốc sên để lại một vệt nhớt trên lá. (The snail left a slimy trail on the leaf.)
  • Hồ bột này quá nhớt, cần thêm chút nước. (This dough is too sticky/viscous; it needs a bit more water.)
  • Sàn nhà bếp rất nhớt vì dầu mỡ. (The kitchen floor is very greasy/oily from grease.)

• Noun:

  • Xe máy cần thay nhớt định kỳ. (The motorbike needs its oil changed regularly.)
  • Anh ấy mua một can nhớt cho xe ô tô. (He bought a can of motor oil for the car.)

Advanced Usage

• "Độ nhớt" (n): Viscosity. A scientific term in physics and chemistry referring to the measure of a fluid's resistance to flow.

  • Độ nhớt của mật ong cao hơn nước. (The viscosity of honey is higher than that of water.)

• "Nhớt nhát" (adj): (Reduplicated, attenuated sense) Slightly sticky/slimy; often used figuratively to describe a hesitant, indecisive, or cowardly attitude.

  • Đừng nhớt nhát thế, hãy quyết đoán lên! (Don't be so wishy-washy/indecisive, be more decisive!)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhầy nhụa / Nhầy (adj): Slimy, mucous. Often used interchangeably with "nhớt" for biological substances.

  • Chất nhầy trong mũi. (The mucus in the nose.)

• Dầu nhớt (n): Lubricating oil; a compound term specifically for engine or machine oil.

  • Cửa hàng bán dầu nhớt. (The shop sells lubricating oil.)

• Nhớp nháp (adj): Greasy, grimy, dirty. Similar to "nhớt" but often implies dirtiness along with the greasy feel.

Synonyms

• Dính (adj): Sticky, adhesive. (Focuses more on adhesion than slipperiness).
• Trơn (adj): Slippery, smooth. (Focuses on the lack of friction, which can be caused by a "nhớt" surface).
• Loãng (adj): Thin, dilute. (Antonym when referring to viscosity).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Nghèo nhớt mồng tơi": (Idiom) Extremely poor, destitute. Literally "as poor as malabar spinach's slime," using the common, low-value vegetable to emphasize poverty.
  • Gia đình họ trước đây nghèo nhớt mồng tơi. (Their family was dirt poor in the past.)

noun

1. motor oil

adj

1. slimy; viscous