Definitions

1. Verb:
   • To carry (a child) in one's arms: The action of holding and transporting a child, typically with care and affection, often implying the use of both arms. It conveys a sense of nurturing and gentle handling.
   • To carry and look after tenderly: This meaning extends beyond mere physical transport to include the act of caring for and doting on a child while holding them.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người mẹ trẻ bồng bế đứa con nhỏ trên tay. (The young mother carries her small child in her arms.)
  • Cô giáo mầm non âu yếm bồng bế từng đứa trẻ. (The kindergarten teacher tenderly carries and looks after each child.)

Advanced Usage

• "bồng bế con cái": to carry and care for one's children.
  • Bà luôn tận tụy bồng bế con cái khi chúng còn nhỏ. (She was always devoted to carrying and caring for her children when they were little.)
• Used to describe the attentive and loving care typically provided by parents, grandparents, or caregivers towards young children.

Variants and Related Words

• Bồng (verb): To carry in one's arms, often a single action of picking up and holding. It can be used more generally than "bồng bế".
  • Bà bồng đứa cháu ngủ. (The grandmother carries her sleeping grandchild.)
• Bế (verb): To carry (a child) in one's arms. It is very similar to "bồng" and the two are often combined for emphasis.
  • Anh ấy bế con gái đi dạo. (He carries his daughter for a walk.)
• Ẵm (verb): To carry a baby or young child in one's arms. It is a close synonym.
  • Cô ấy ẵm em bé mới sinh. (She carries the newborn baby.)

Synonyms

• Ôm (verb): To hug or hold in one's arms. While "ôm" can imply carrying, it more strongly emphasizes the embracing action rather than transport.
• Nâng niu (verb): To cherish, hold dear, or handle with extreme care. It describes the attitude more than the physical action.

Notes on Usage

• The word "bồng bế" is almost exclusively used in the context of carrying children, not objects or adults. It inherently conveys a sense of gentleness and affection.
• It is a compound word formed from two near-synonyms, "bồng" and "bế", which reinforces and emphasizes the meaning.
• The term is commonly used in descriptions of parental care, childcare, and familial affection.

1. To carry (trẻ con, nói khái quát)
   • cô bảo mẫu nâng niu bồng bế các cháu như con cái mình
     the kindergartener carries and tenderly looks after the children as if they were her own