Definition

Verb: - To intend, to plan (in one's mind): "định bụng" means to have a specific intention or plan about doing something. It refers to a decision or thought that is formed internally, often before taking action. The word "bụng" (stomach) is used idiomatically to mean "mind" or "heart," indicating an internal, personal resolve.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi định bụng sẽ học tiếng Anh thật chăm chỉ năm nay. (I intend to study English very hard this year.)
  • Cô ấy định bụng mua một chiếc xe mới nhưng chưa đủ tiền. (She planned to buy a new car but didn't have enough money yet.)
  • Họ đã định bụng đi du lịch từ lâu. (They had intended to go traveling for a long time.)

Advanced Usage

• "Định bụng rồi": To have already made up one's mind.
  • Anh ấy nói anh ấy định bụng rồi, không thay đổi được đâu. (He said he has already made up his mind; it can't be changed.)
• The phrase often implies a personal, somewhat firm intention that may or may not be stated aloud. It is less formal than "dự định" (to plan).

Variants and Related Words

• Dự định (verb/noun): To plan / a plan. This is a more standard and formal synonym.
• Tính (verb): To intend, to calculate (to do something). Often used in "tính làm gì".
• Ý định (noun): Intention, plan.

Synonyms

• To intend: Có ý định, muốn.
• To plan: Lên kế hoạch, dự tính.
• To mean to (do something): Có ý (làm gì đó).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a verb phrase itself, "định bụng" does not combine with other particles to form distinct phrasal verbs. Its usage is fixed.

Related Idioms

• "Bụng ta suy bụng người": To judge others by one's own standards (literally: to use one's own stomach to deduce another's stomach). This idiom shares the metaphorical use of "bụng" for mind/intention.
• "Để bụng": To bear a grudge, to keep something in mind (often negative). Contrasts with "định bụng," which is about forming a positive plan.

verb

1. to intend, to tend (to dọ)