que ngoáy
Definition
- Noun:
- Cotton swab / Cotton bud: A short, thin stick with a small amount of cotton wrapped around one or both ends, used primarily for personal hygiene or applying small amounts of substances.
- Applicator stick / Swab stick: A general term for a slender rod, often made of wood or plastic, with a tip designed for applying, cleaning, or sampling.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Đừng dùng que ngoáy để ngoáy tai sâu. (Do not use a cotton swab to clean deep inside your ear.)
- Cô y tá dùng que ngoáy để lấy mẫu xét nghiệm. (The nurse used a swab stick to take a test sample.)
- Hãy lấy một que ngoáy và thoa thuốc lên vết thương. (Take an applicator stick and apply the medicine to the wound.)
Advanced Usage
- In a medical or laboratory context, "que ngoáy" specifically refers to a sterile swab used for collecting biological specimens.
- Que ngoáy y tế: medical swab.
- Que ngoáy cổ họng: throat swab.
Variants and Related Words
- Tăm bông (n): This is a very common synonym for "que ngoáty," especially when referring to cotton swabs for personal care.
Synonyms
- Swab: A piece of soft material used for cleaning or applying medicine, often on a stick.
- Applicator: A device for applying a substance.
- Cotton bud / Q-tip (brand name): Common terms for a cotton-tipped swab.
Notes on Usage
- The primary and most common everyday use of "que ngoáy" is for the personal hygiene item (cotton swab). Its use is often cautioned against for ear cleaning by medical professionals.
- The meaning extends to similar tools in medical, cosmetic, or artistic contexts (e.g., for applying makeup or model paint).