Definition

1. Noun:

   • Insect, pest, worm, caterpillar: A small, often soft-bodied animal that is typically the larval stage of an insect, known for damaging plants, fruits, or wood by boring into or eating them.
   • Decay, caries: Refers to a diseased condition where material is progressively damaged or eaten away, most commonly used for tooth decay.

2. Adjective:

   • Deep: Extending far down from the top or surface, or far in from the outer edge.
   • Profound, sound: Of great depth or intensity, especially relating to abstract concepts like knowledge, thought, or sleep.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Trên lá có một con sâu. (There is a worm on the leaf.)
  • Anh ấy bị sâu răng. (He has a cavity / tooth decay.)

• Adjective:

  • Đó là một cái giếng rất sâu. (That is a very deep well.)
  • Bà ấy có kiến thức sâu về lịch sử. (She has profound knowledge of history.)
  • Đứa trẻ đang trong giấc ngủ sâu. (The child is in a deep sleep.)

Advanced Usage

• "sâu sắc": Profound, deep, intense (often for feelings, thoughts, or impacts).

  • Lời khuyên của ông ấy thật sâu sắc. (His advice was profound.)

• "sâu xa": Deep-seated, root, fundamental (referring to underlying causes or feelings).

  • Nguyên nhân sâu xa của cuộc xung đột là gì? (What is the root cause of the conflict?)

Variants and Related Words

• Sâu bọ (n): Insects, bugs, pests (general term for harmful insects).

  • Thuốc trừ sâu bọ rất độc hại. (Insecticide is very toxic.)

• Sâu răng (n): Tooth decay, cavity.

  • Ăn nhiều đường dễ bị sâu răng. (Eating a lot of sugar can easily cause cavities.)

• Sâu cay (adj): Bitter, acrimonious, cutting (for words or attitudes).

  • Lời phê bình sâu cay. (A cutting criticism.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Worm, grub, larva; decay, caries.
• Adjective: Deep, bottomless; profound, intense, sound.

Related Idioms

• "Sâu đầu sâu đuôi": To be thoroughly versed in something from beginning to end; to know something inside out.

  • Ông ấy hiểu vấn đề sâu đầu sâu đuôi. (He understands the issue thoroughly.)

• "Con sâu làm rầu nồi canh": Literally "one worm spoils the whole pot of soup." Equivalent to "one bad apple spoils the barrel."

  • Chỉ một người không hợp tác, con sâu làm rầu nồi canh. (Just one uncooperative person—one bad apple spoils the barrel.)

noun

1. insect, pest
2. decay

adj

1. deep
2. profound
3. sound