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mực
/mɨ̀k̚˧˥/
squid/ink
Tôi thích ăn mực nướng.
I like to eat grilled squid.
general
A marine mollusk with a long body and ten arms, often used as food.
Mực là một loại hải sản phổ biến ở Việt Nam.
Squid is a common seafood in Vietnam.
Anh ấy mua mực tươi để nấu canh chua.
He bought fresh squid to make sour soup.
In Vietnamese cuisine, squid is often grilled, stir-fried, or used in soups. The term can also refer to the ink produced by squid, used in cooking or as a writing medium.
general
The dark, ink-like substance secreted by squid, used in cooking or as a writing medium.
Bánh xèo có nước chấm làm từ mực.
Bánh xèo has a dipping sauce made with squid ink.
Người ta dùng mực để viết thư pháp.
People use squid ink for calligraphy.
Squid ink is prized for its flavor and is often used in pasta, risotto, or sauces in Mediterranean cuisine. In Vietnam, it is also used in traditional dishes like bánh xèo.
Pro Tip
Distinguishing meanings
If 'mực' is followed by a food-related term (e.g., 'mực nướng', 'mực xào'), it refers to the squid as food. If followed by terms like 'viết' (write) or 'in' (print), it refers to the ink.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *mɯk, ultimately from Proto-Mon-Khmer *mɔk.
Usage Notes
In Vietnamese, 'mực' can refer to both the animal and its ink. Context usually clarifies the meaning. For example, 'mực nướng' (grilled squid) refers to the animal, while 'mực viết' (writing ink) refers to the ink.
Từ Điển Việt Anh