Definition

1. Verb:
   • To carry in one's arms, to cradle: "bế bồng" refers to the action of holding and carrying someone, typically a child, in one's arms with care and affection, often in a way that provides comfort or support.
   • To cherish, to pamper: Figuratively, it can mean to treat someone with excessive care, indulgence, or tenderness.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người mẹ bế bồng đứa con nhỏ. (The mother cradled her small child in her arms.)
  • Anh ấy luôn bế bồng cô em gái. (He always carries his little sister in his arms / dotes on his little sister.)

Advanced Usage

• "được bế bồng": to be carried/cradled; to be pampered.
  • Đứa trẻ thích được bế bồng. (The child likes to be carried.)
• "bế bồng chiều chuộng": to pamper and indulge.
  • Bố mẹ không nên bế bồng chiều chuộng con quá mức. (Parents should not pamper and indulge their children excessively.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bế (verb): to carry (a person, especially a child) in one's arms. This is the core component of "bế bồng".
• Bồng (verb): to lift up, to carry in one's arms. Often used interchangeably with "bế" in this context, and combined with it for emphasis.
• Ẵm (verb): to carry (a baby/child) in one's arms. A close synonym.
• Bồng bế (verb): a reversed form with the same meaning as "bế bồng".

Synonyms

• Ẵm: to carry (a baby/child).
• Bồng: to lift and carry.
• Nâng niu: to cherish, to handle with great care (more abstract, often for objects or feelings).
• Chiều chuộng: to pamper, to spoil (focuses on the indulgent aspect).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bế lên: to pick up (into one's arms).
  • Cô giáo bế đứa bé khóc lên. (The teacher picked up the crying child.)
• Bồng trên tay: to carry in one's hands/arms.
  • Anh ấy bồng con trên tay. (He carried his child in his arms.)

Related Idioms

• "Bế bồng con cái": to raise/nurture one's children (with care and affection).
  • Công việc bế bồng con cái rất vất vả. (The work of raising children is very hard.)
• "Nâng như nâng trứng, hứng như hứng hoa": (Idiom) To handle with extreme care, as if holding an egg or catching a flower. This conveys a similar sense of tender care as "bế bồng" but for delicate situations or objects.