ngầu

Vietnamese

Etymology

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “The earliest attestation I can find is Abrégé de grammaire annamite (1867) with the compound đục ngầu; attestations in Nôm texts seem to be very limited if not non-existent. The "cool" or "thuggish" senses either arose late or was unwritten. This word seems to be related to the ngầu element in loạn xà ngầu.”

Pronunciation

(Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ŋəw˨˩]
(Huế) IPA^(key): [ŋəw˦˩]
(Saigon) IPA^(key): [ŋəw˨˩]

Adjective

ngầu

(almost always in compounds, of liquid) very unclear
Synonym: đục ngầu

nước đục ngầu ― very unclear/muddy/dirty water
(of eyes) bloodshot
(slang, disapproving) seemingly delinquent, thuggish, prone to fighting or causing trouble
(slang, approving) kickass; badass; "cool"
Synonym: bảnh

Anh mày mặc quần da nhìn hơi bị ngầu đúng hôn ?
Don't I look so kickass in these sweet leather pants?

Derived terms