Definition

1. Noun:
   • Dracontomelum tree: A large tropical tree (Dracontomelum duperreanum), commonly planted for shade in Vietnam, known for its edible green fruit with a sour taste.
   • Crocodile / Alligator (shortened form): A common shortened form of "cá sấu," referring to large aquatic reptiles.
   • Mythical guardian creature: A stylized, often fearsome creature from folklore, typically depicted in sculptures guarding temples, communal houses, or palaces.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Tree/Fruit):
  • Những hàng cây sấu tỏa bóng mát trên đường phố Hà Nội. (Rows of sấu trees provide shade on Hanoi's streets.)
  • Canh chua nấu với sấu xanh rất ngon. (Sour soup cooked with green sấu is delicious.)
• Noun (Animal):
  • Trong đầm lầy có nhiều sấu. (There are many crocodiles in the swamp.)
• Noun (Mythical creature):
  • Trước cổng đình có đôi sấu đá canh giữ. (A pair of stone guardian creatures stands watch in front of the communal house gate.)

Advanced Usage

• "sấu chín": ripe fruit (sweet, eaten fresh).
  • Trẻ con thích ăn sấu chín chấm muối ớt. (Children like to eat ripe sấu dipped in salt and chili.)
• "sấu dầm": green fruit pickled or soaked in a sweet, salty, and spicy brine.
  • Sấu dầm đường là món ăn vặt phổ biến. (Sour sấu soaked in sugar is a popular snack.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cá sấu (n): Crocodile; alligator. The full term for the reptile.
  • Cá sấu nước mặn là loài bò sát lớn nhất. (The saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile.)
• Ô mai sấu (n): A dried, salted, and sugared preserve made from fruit.
• Cột sấu (n): A pillar or column decorated with carvings of the mythical creature.

Synonyms

• Tree/Fruit: Dracontomelum, Indochina dragon plum.
• Animal: Crocodile, alligator, gharial (depending on species).
• Mythical creature: Guardian beast, temple guardian, mythical dragon-like creature.

Related Idioms

• Nước mắt cá sấu: Crocodile tears (meaning false or insincere sorrow).
  • Hắn khóc chỉ là nước mắt cá sấu mà thôi. (His crying is nothing but crocodile tears.)

noun

1. (cây) dracontomelum
2. (cá) như cá sấu