Definition

1. Noun:

   • Notch; Groove; Indentation: A small cut or a marked, often evenly spaced, division on a surface, used as a reference point or measurement.
   • Step; Rung; Level: A single stage in a graduated series, such as a step on a ladder or a distinct level in a process.
   • Stage; Phase; Tier: A distinct point or level in a scale, progression, or hierarchy.

2. Verb:

   • To hiccup: To make a sudden, involuntary sound in the throat caused by a spasm of the diaphragm.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Mực nước trong bình đã hạ xuống một nấc. (The water level in the bottle has dropped one notch.)
  • Anh ta leo lên nấc thang cao nhất. (He climbed to the highest rung of the ladder.)
  • Thuế thu nhập được chia thành nhiều nấc. (Income tax is divided into many tiers.)

• Verb:

  • Đứa bé nấc liên tục sau khi uống sữa. (The baby hiccuped continuously after drinking milk.)
  • Cô ấy khóc đến nấc lên. (She cried until she started hiccuping.)

Advanced Usage

• "nấc thang": Literally "ladder rung," commonly used metaphorically for a step or level in a career, society, or process.

  • Đây là một nấc thang quan trọng trong sự nghiệp của anh ấy. (This is an important step in his career.)

• "từng nấc một": Step by step; gradually.

  • Chúng tôi tiến hành công việc từng nấc một. (We carry out the work step by step.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cơn nấc (n): A bout of hiccups; a hiccoughing fit.

  • Nó bị một cơn nấc kéo dài. (He had a prolonged bout of hiccups.)

• Nấc cụt (n): Another common term for hiccups.

  • Uống nước từ từ có thể chữa nấc cụt. (Drinking water slowly can cure hiccups.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Notch, level, step, stage, rung, tier, degree, gradation.
• Verb: To hiccup, to hiccough.

Related Idioms

• Khóc nấc lên: To sob; to cry with hiccuping breaths.
  • Đứa trẻ ngã đau và khóc nấc lên. (The child fell painfully and began to sob.)

noun

1. step; stair ; step; turn
   • nấc thang
     step of a ladder