Significado
Describing something very spicy.
Contexto cultural
In Hue, chilis are served with almost every meal. It's not uncommon to see people bite into a raw chili while eating. 'Cay như ớt' is a compliment here. Hanoians prefer a subtle balance. If a dish is 'cay như ớt', it might be considered unbalanced or 'too much' for a traditional palate. The 'Mì Cay 7 Cấp Độ' (7-level spicy noodles) became a viral trend. It turned 'cay như ớt' into a social challenge and a badge of honor. Spicy food is 'hot' (Yang). To balance 'cay như ớt' food, Vietnamese people drink 'trà thảo mộc' (herbal tea) to avoid 'nhiệt miệng' (mouth ulcers).
The Water Trap
If something is cay như ớt, don't drink water! Drink milk or eat a piece of bread to neutralize the capsaicin.
Temperature vs Spice
Always double-check if you mean 'nóng' or 'cay'. Vietnamese people will understand you, but it's the #1 sign of a beginner.
Significado
Describing something very spicy.
The Water Trap
If something is cay như ớt, don't drink water! Drink milk or eat a piece of bread to neutralize the capsaicin.
Temperature vs Spice
Always double-check if you mean 'nóng' or 'cay'. Vietnamese people will understand you, but it's the #1 sign of a beginner.
Regional Spice
If you are in Hue, 'cay vừa' (medium spicy) is often still 'cay như ớt' for foreigners. Be careful!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Món bún này cay như ___.
The idiom is 'cay như ớt' (spicy like chili).
Which sentence correctly describes a very spicy soup?
Chọn câu đúng:
'Cay' is the correct adjective for spice; 'nóng' is for temperature.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English meaning.
Nối các cặp từ:
These are the four basic taste similes in Vietnamese.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ăn thử món này đi! B: Không đâu, nhìn đỏ thế kia chắc chắn là ___ rồi.
The color red in food usually indicates high spice levels.
Match the situation to the phrase.
When your boss gives a very harsh and stinging critique, you say his words are...
Metaphorically, 'cay như ớt' describes sharp, stinging words.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Vietnamese Taste Similes
Spicy
- • Cay như ớt
Sweet
- • Ngọt như đường
Salty
- • Mặn như muối
Sour
- • Chua như chanh
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosMón bún này cay như ___.
The idiom is 'cay như ớt' (spicy like chili).
Chọn câu đúng:
'Cay' is the correct adjective for spice; 'nóng' is for temperature.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are the four basic taste similes in Vietnamese.
A: Ăn thử món này đi! B: Không đâu, nhìn đỏ thế kia chắc chắn là ___ rồi.
The color red in food usually indicates high spice levels.
When your boss gives a very harsh and stinging critique, you say his words are...
Metaphorically, 'cay như ớt' describes sharp, stinging words.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
6 preguntasNot at all! It's a very common, neutral observation about food.
Technically yes, but 'cay nồng' is more accurate for the nasal heat of wasabi.
There isn't a direct idiom, but you could say 'không cay chút nào' (not spicy at all).
It's a bit informal for academic papers, but fine for blogs, magazines, and stories.
Chili (ớt) provides a more intense, immediate burn that is more characteristic of Vietnamese heat than pepper (tiêu).
Yes, that's a more slang/informal version, similar to 'spicy as a devil'.
Frases relacionadas
Cay xé lưỡi
similarSpicy enough to tear the tongue.
Cay đắng
contrastBitter and spicy (metaphorically: miserable).
Nóng như lửa
similarHot as fire.
Hiền như bụt
contrastGentle as Buddha.
