đồ ngốc
Definition
Noun (Insult):
- Fool; idiot: A direct and derogatory term used to call someone stupid or foolish. It expresses strong annoyance or contempt.
- Silly thing: Can be used to refer to a foolish person or, in some contexts, to an object that is frustratingly stupid or not working correctly.
Interjection (Exclamation):
- "You fool!": Used as an exclamation to scold or express frustration directly at someone perceived as acting stupidly.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Đừng có làm trò đồ ngốc ấy nữa! (Stop doing that foolish thing!)
- Nó là một thằng đồ ngốc, chẳng hiểu gì cả. (He is an idiot who doesn't understand anything.)
- Interjection:
- Đồ ngốc! Lại làm đổ hết rồi! (You fool! You spilled it all again!)
Advanced Usage
- The term is inherently informal and rude. Its strength is similar to calling someone a "moron" or "imbecile" in English. It is more harsh than "ngu" (stupid) alone.
- It is often used in moments of anger, frustration, or heated argument. Using it in polite or formal conversation is highly inappropriate.
Variants and Related Words
- Đồ đần (n): A very similar insult meaning "fool" or "idiot."
- Thằng ngốc (n): "Stupid guy"; a common phrase with a similar meaning, where "thằng" specifies a male.
- Đồ ngu (n): A stronger and more offensive synonym, directly calling someone "stupid."
Synonyms
- Idiot
- Fool
- Imbecile
- Moron (all are derogatory nouns)
Related Idioms
- While "đồ ngốc" itself is not part of a longer idiom, it functions within a common Vietnamese insult structure: "Đồ + [negative trait]" (e.g., - good-for-nothing, - useless person).