Definition

1. Verb:
   • To protect and help, to care for and support: "đắp điếm" describes the act of providing comprehensive care, protection, and assistance to someone, often in a loving or devoted manner. It implies nurturing and shielding from harm.
   • (Archaic/Literary) To bury, to inter: In older or poetic usage, "đắp điếm" can mean to bury a deceased person.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To protect and help):

  • Yêu nhau đắp điếm mọi bề. (When you love someone, you protect and help them in every way.)
  • Người mẹ luôn đắp điếm cho các con. (The mother always cares for and protects her children.)

• Verb (Archaic: To bury):

  • Đắp điếm người quá cố là phong tục xưa. (Burying the deceased was an old custom.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• Contextual Nuance: In modern Vietnamese, the primary and most common meaning is "to protect and help." The meaning "to bury" is now considered archaic, literary, or dialectal and is rarely used in everyday conversation. It is primarily found in classical poetry, ancient texts, or folk songs (ca dao).
• Emotional Connotation: When used in the sense of protection, it carries a strong connotation of tender, meticulous, and all-encompassing care, often within close relationships like family or romantic partners.

Variants and Related Words

• Chăm sóc (verb): To take care of, to look after. (A more common and general synonym for the "care" aspect.)
• Bảo vệ (verb): To protect, to defend. (A more common and general synonym for the "protection" aspect.)
• Che chở (verb): To shelter, to shield. (Emphasizes providing cover and safety.)
• Chôn cất (verb): To bury, to inter. (The standard modern term for burial.)

Synonyms

• Nâng đỡ: To support, to uphold.
• Đùm bọc: To embrace and protect, to take under one's wing (often used for community or family care).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Đắp điếm mọi bề: To protect and help in every aspect; to provide all-sided care and support.
  • Tình yêu đích thực là biết đắp điếm mọi bề cho nhau. (True love is knowing how to protect and help each other in every way.)

1. Protect and help
   • Yêu nhau đắp điếm mọi bề (ca dao)
     Love is accompanied by all- sided protection and help