Definition

1. Noun:
   • Granule: A small, compact particle or grain, often referring to a small, formed pellet of a substance, particularly in a pharmaceutical or nutritional context.
   • Pellet (of puffed rice): In Vietnamese culinary tradition, this specifically refers to a small, round pellet made from puffed or roasted rice, often green in color and flavored with pandan, used as a topping or snack.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thuốc này dạng viên cốm, dễ uống cho trẻ em. (This medicine is in granule form, easy for children to take.)
  • Cô ấy rắc viên cốm lên trên ly chè. (She sprinkled the puffed rice pellets on top of the sweet soup.)

Advanced Usage

• In a pharmaceutical context, "viên cốm" describes a specific dosage form, often a granule that may be dissolved or dispersed in water before administration.
  • Viên cốm sủi bọt là một dạng thuốc phổ biến. (Effervescent granules are a common pharmaceutical form.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hạt cốm (n): This often refers specifically to the flat, green young rice flakes, a traditional Vietnamese food, which is distinct from the round, puffed "viên cốm."
  • Hạt cốm thường được dùng làm nhân bánh. (Young rice flakes are often used as a filling for cakes.)

Synonyms

• Granule: A small particle or grain.
• Pellet: A small, rounded, compressed mass of a substance.
• Bead: A small, often round object (used descriptively for shape/size).

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning shifts based on context. In medicine/pharmacy, it translates directly to "granule." In food/culinary contexts, it specifically denotes the small, round, crunchy pellets made from puffed rice, which may not have a direct single-word English equivalent beyond "puffed rice pellet" or "granule." The color is often associated with green from pandan leaf juice.