Definition

1. Verb:
   • To tighten by twisting, to twist tight, to constrict: The primary meaning refers to the action of winding something tightly around an object or itself, applying pressure.
   • (Archaic/Dialectal) To gulp down a drink: A secondary, less common meaning, used in specific dialects to mean drinking (especially alcohol) quickly or greedily.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To twist tight):

  • Con trăn núc chặt con mồi. (The python constricts its prey tightly.)
  • Anh ấy núc sợi dây thừng quanh cột. (He twisted the rope tightly around the post.)

• Verb (Archaic: To gulp down):

  • Ông ấy núc một hơi hết ly rượu. (He gulped down the glass of wine in one go.)

Advanced Usage

• "núc mồi": This is a classic collocation, almost a set phrase, describing how a constrictor snake (like a python) coils around and squeezes its prey.
  • Hành động núc mồi của loài trăn rất đáng sợ. (The prey-constricting action of pythons is terrifying.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bếp núc (n): A compound noun meaning "kitchen" or "cooking area". This is a fixed term where "núc" is a phonetic variation of "nước" (water), not directly related to the verb's main meanings.
  • Cô ấy rất thành thạo việc bếp núc. (She is very skilled in kitchen work/cooking.)

Synonyms

• Siết (v): to tighten, to constrict. (Closest synonym for the primary meaning).
• Quấn (v): to coil, to wind. (Focuses more on the winding action).
• Nốc (v): (slang) to chug, to gulp down. (Synonym for the archaic drinking meaning).

Notes on Usage

• The primary meaning (to twist tight/constrict) is the most standard and widely understood in modern Vietnamese, especially in descriptive contexts.
• The meaning related to drinking (to gulp down) is considered archaic or highly dialectal. In most contemporary contexts, words like nốc or uống ừng ực are used instead.
• The word núc is not commonly used in everyday modern speech for its core meaning; synonyms like siết or quấn are more frequent. Its most recognizable use is in the specific phrase "trăn núc mồi".

1. Tighten, twist tight
   • Trăn núc mồi
     A python that twist itself round its prey