ngu ngốc
[ŋu˧˧ ŋəwk͡p̚˧˦]
The English word "dumb" is translated into Vietnamese as ngu ngốc.
ngu ngốc is an adjective used to describe someone or something as stupid or foolish. ngu ngốc can sometimes describe a foolish action or mistake.
Meaning: stupid (adj)
Which one should you use?
The single word ngu is often used as a direct insult to a person's intelligence. In contrast, ngu ngốc is a more formal or descriptive way to say 'stupid' compared to the bluntness of the single word ngu.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ngu ngốc is a more formal or descriptive term. The shortened form ngu is more common in casual speech and can sound more blunt or insulting than ngu ngốc. Additionally, the phrase Đần độn is an informal way to imply that someone is "numskulled" or "dim-witted".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ngu ngốc can be preceded by rất (very) to mean "very stupid".
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, calling someone ngốc can actually be used as a term of endearment between lovers or close friends, similar to calling someone 'silly'.
- The word ngu is a Sino-Vietnamese loanword, meaning it shares an ancient ancestor with the Chinese character 愚. This connection links the Vietnamese word for 'stupid' to similar concepts in many East Asian languages.
- The term ngu can be combined with the word for 'pig' to create the insult ngu như lợn, which literally means 'as stupid as a pig'.
Examples in context
- Đừng làm những việc ngu ngốc như vậy.Don't do such stupid things.
- Đó là một quyết định ngu ngốc.That was a stupid decision.
- Tôi cảm thấy mình thật ngu ngốc.I feel so stupid.
Example conversation
Mai and Tuấn are discussing a mistake Tuấn made.
- MaiSao anh lại làm thế, Tuấn?Why did you do that, Tuấn?
- TuấnAnh không biết phải làm gì cả.I didn't know what to do.
- MaiHành động đó thật là ngu ngốc.That action was really stupid.
- TuấnAnh xin lỗi, Mai.I am sorry, Mai.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ngu ngốc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ngu, ngu ngốc, ngốc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
