Definition

1. Verb:
   • To have a thorough knowledge of; to be expert in: This is the primary meaning. It indicates a deep, comprehensive, and often specialized understanding of a subject, field, or procedure, implying more than just basic familiarity.
   • To be well-informed about: It describes being deeply acquainted with the details and nuances of a particular topic or situation.
   • To know inside out / to know like the back of one's hand: These idiomatic translations emphasize complete and intimate familiarity.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông ấy am hiểu thủ tục hành chính như lòng bàn tay. (He knows the administrative procedures like the back of his hand.)
  • Chúng tôi chỉ chọn người nào am hiểu lịch sử Việt Nam mà thôi. (We only choose someone expert in Vietnamese history.)
  • Cô ấy am hiểu thị trường lao động thế giới. (She is well-informed about the world-wide labour market.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often appears in formal or academic contexts to describe professional or scholarly expertise.
• It can be used to describe circles or groups of experts: (well-informed / expert circles).

Variants and Related Words

• Hiểu biết (v/n): To understand/know; knowledge. This is a more general term for knowledge and understanding, while implies greater depth.
• Tinh thông (v/adj): To master; to be proficient. Similar to but can sometimes imply a higher degree of skill or mastery.
• Thành thạo (adj): Skilled, proficient. Focuses more on practical skill rather than theoretical knowledge.

Synonyms

• To be expert in
• To be knowledgeable about
• To be versed in
• To have a command of

Related Idioms

• Am tường: A near-synonymous literary term meaning to understand thoroughly.
  • Nhà nghiên cứu am tường văn hóa dân gian. (The researcher has a thorough understanding of folk culture.)

verb

1. To realize; to know inside out; to have a good command of ; to know like the back of one's hand; to have a thorough knowledge of; to be expert in (at,on) ; to be well-informed about, to be familiar with
   • am hiểu cặn kẽ một định lý hình học
     to know a geometrical theorem inside out
   • giới am hiểu
     well-informed (knowledgeable, expert) circles
   • am hiểu thị trường lao động thế giới
     to be well-informed about the world-wide labour market
   • chúng tôi chỉ chọn người nào am hiểu lịch sử Việt Nam mà thôi
     we only choose someone expert in Vietnamese history
   • ông ta am hiểu thủ tục hành chính như lòng bàn tay
     he knows the administrative procedures like the back of his hand