ngon
[ŋɔn˧˧]
The English word "delicious" is translated into Vietnamese as ngon.
ngon is used to describe something that is pleasing to the taste. Unlike English, which often distinguishes between tasty food and a good drink, Vietnamese uses ngon for both food and drinks. If you want to describe food that looks appetizing specifically through its appearance, you would use the phrase ngon mắt.
Meaning: pleasing to taste (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ngon is the standard term for delicious or tasty, you may encounter different forms to express specific nuances. ngon quá is a colloquial way to emphasize that something is very delicious, whereas ngon miệng is used to describe something as appetizing or delicious to the palate in a more descriptive sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, adding the word quá after ngon to create ngon quá is a common way to express that something is "so delicious" or "very delicious".
Did you know?
- While ngon primarily refers to taste, it can also be used to describe an attractive person, similar to the English slang 'tasty'.
- Vietnamese speakers often use ngon to describe a 'good deal' or a bargain, such as a low price for a high-quality item.
- In certain contexts, ngon can be used to describe a smooth or satisfying sound, such as a well-tuned instrument or a clear voice.
Examples in context
- Cái này rất ngon.This is very delicious.This sentence shows how to use ngon to say something is very delicious.Tatoeba #513674 by autuno, translation #12047469 by CK
- Kim quất thì ngon.Kumquats is delicious.This sentence demonstrates using ngon to describe kumquats.Tatoeba #13339919 by leucammieuvu, translation #9793015 by CK
- quả táo đó rất ngonThat apple was really delicious.This sentence shows how to use ngon to say an apple was really delicious.Tatoeba #9550414 by Alex_do, translation #9529020 by CK
- Bữa tối tuyệt vời! Món này rất ngon.What a wonderful dinner! This dish is very delicious.
- Tôi không thể tin nổi món này tuyệt hảo đến vậy.I can't believe how excellent this dish is.
- Chiên giòn thế này, ngon quá!Crispy like this, it's delicious!
- Món này của bạn thật tuyệt vời. Cảm ơn!This dish of yours is really delicious. Thank you!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are eating at a small restaurant.
- HùngChi ơi, món này ngon không?Chi, is this dish delicious?
- ChiNgon lắm, Hùng ạ.It is very delicious, Hung.
- HùngAnh thấy cũng rất ngon.I find it very delicious too.
- ChiChúng ta nên quay lại đây.We should come back here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “delicious” translations and entries ngon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
