mực
/mɨ̰k/A type of cephalopod mollusk commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine, often prepared as grilled, fried, or in soups.
Mẹ tôi làm canh mực rất ngon.
My mother makes delicious squid soup.
Mực ống là một món ăn đặc trưng của miền Trung Việt Nam.
Squid in the tube is a characteristic dish of Central Vietnam.
In Vietnamese cuisine, squid is often referred to simply as 'mực' without specifying the species.
Ink, especially the dark liquid produced by squid or octopus for defense.
Mực của mực ống rất đen và dày.
The ink of the squid is very black and thick.
This meaning is less common than the culinary one.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Culinary Context
When 'mực' is used in Vietnamese recipes, it almost always refers to squid, not ink.
⚡Gold Rule
Primary Meaning
Assume 'mực' means 'squid' unless the context clearly refers to ink.
📖Word Origin
From Sino-Vietnamese '墨' (mực), meaning 'ink', originally referring to the dark liquid produced by cephalopods, later extended to the animals themselves.
📝Usage Notes
The word 'mực' is most commonly used to refer to squid in Vietnamese cuisine. The ink meaning is less common and usually requires context.