Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bite (one's lips) tightly: To press one's lips together firmly, often by biting them slightly from the inside. This action is typically done to suppress an emotion, such as anger, determination, pain, or to prevent oneself from crying or speaking.
   • To clench; to press tightly: More generally, it can describe the action of tightly pressing or squeezing something, though it is most commonly used for lips or mouth.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cậu bé bặm môi, cố gắng không khóc. (The boy bit his lips tightly, trying not to cry.)
  • Cô ấy bặm miệng lại vì tức giận. (She clenched her mouth shut in anger.)
  • Anh ta chỉ biết bặm môi chịu đựng cơn đau. (He could only bite his lips and endure the pain.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "bặm" is almost always used with words for parts of the mouth, forming specific phrases. It is rarely used alone.
• "bặm môi" and "bặm miệng" are set phrases meaning "to bite one's lips" or "to clench one's mouth."

Variants and Related Words

• Cắn (v): To bite. This is the general verb for biting with teeth, whereas "bặm" implies a specific, internal pressing of the lips.
• Mím (v): To purse or press one's lips together. This is a close synonym but often without the connotation of biting; it can be a lighter press.
• Nghiến (v): To grind or clench (e.g., teeth). "Nghiến răng" (to grind one's teeth) is a related action often expressing similar strong emotions.

Synonyms

• To clench one's lips
• To press one's lips together
• To bite one's lips

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Bặm môi (lại): The standard idiom meaning to bite one's lips. It vividly depicts an effort to control emotion.
  • Nghe tin đó, ông ấy chỉ biết bặm môi lại. (Hearing that news, he could only bite his lips.)
• Bặm miệng giữ tiếng khóc: To bite one's mouth to hold back a cry.
  • Đứa trẻ bặm miệng giữ tiếng khóc. (The child bit her mouth to hold back her cry.)

verb

1. to bite (one's lips)
   • bặm miệng không khóc
     to bite one's lips and hold back one's tears