ẵm

Definition

Verb:
- To carry (a baby or small child) in one's arms: The primary meaning of "ẵm" is to hold and transport a young child, typically an infant or toddler, by cradling them in one's arms.
- To steal, to pilfer (colloquial/slang): In informal contexts, "ẵm" can mean to take something stealthily or dishonestly, often implying the theft is quick and complete.

Usage Examples

Verb (To carry a child):
- Mẹ đang ẵm em bé ngủ. (The mother is carrying the sleeping baby.)
- Anh ấy ẵm đứa con nhỏ ra xe. (He carried his small child out to the car.)
Verb (To steal):
- Tên trộm đã ẵm hết đồ có giá trị. (The thief made off with all the valuables.)
- Ai đó đã ẵm mất chiếc điện thoại của tôi. (Someone swiped my phone.)

Advanced Usage

"ẵm bồng": To carry and cradle (a child). This compound emphasizes the gentle, cradling action.
- Bà nội ẵm bồng đứa cháu nhỏ. (The grandmother cradled her grandchild in her arms.)
"ẵm ngửa": Literally "to carry (a baby) lying on its back." This is a set phrase referring specifically to an infant who is still being carried in arms, often before weaning.
- Đứa trẻ còn ẵm ngửa. (The child is still an infant in arms.)

Variants and Related Words

Bế (verb): A more common and general synonym for "to carry/hold a child in one's arms." "ẵm" can sometimes imply the child is very young or the action is more careful/cradling.
Bồng (verb): Similar to "bế" and "ẵm," meaning to carry in one's arms.
Ôm (verb): To hug or embrace. While "ôm" is for affection, "ẵm" is specifically for carrying a child.

Synonyms

To carry (in one's arms): The direct translation for the primary meaning.
To cradle: Emphasizes the gentle, protective way of holding.
To steal, to pilfer, to swipe (colloquial): For the secondary, informal meaning.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

"ẵm" does not commonly form phrasal verbs in the same way English verbs do. Its meanings are typically conveyed through direct objects (e.g., ẵm em bé, ẵm đồ).

Related Idioms

"Con còn ẵm ngửa": Refers to a very young infant, literally "a child still carried lying on its back." It signifies the earliest stage of childhood.
- Từ thuở con còn ẵm ngửa. (Since I was just an infant in arms.)
"ẵm giải" (colloquial): To win a prize or trophy, often unexpectedly or easily. This extends from the "taking" meaning.
- Đội bóng đó ẵm luôn cúp vô địch. (That football team walked away with the championship cup.)

verb

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Proverbs and Idioms