Definition

Verb: - To purse one's lips; to curl up one's lips. This action typically expresses disdain, contempt, disapproval, or skepticism. It is a facial gesture where the lips are pressed together and pushed forward or slightly curled.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy chỉ bĩu môi khi nghe đề nghị đó. (She just pursed her lips when she heard that suggestion.)
  • Đừng bĩu môi như thế, nó rất bất lịch sự. (Don't curl your lips like that; it's very impolite.)
  • Anh ta bĩu môi tỏ vẻ không đồng tình. (He pursed his lips to show his disagreement.)

Advanced Usage

• "bĩu môi chê bai": to purse one's lips in scorn/criticism.
  • Cậu bé bĩu môi chê bai món ăn mẹ nấu. (The boy pursed his lips scornfully at the food his mother cooked.)
• "cái bĩu môi" (noun phrase): a pursing of the lips (used as a nominalized action).
  • Một cái bĩu môi của cô ấy nói lên tất cả. (Her single lip-purse said it all.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bĩu (verb): A shortened, more colloquial form with the same core meaning as "bĩu môi."
  • Nó bĩu môi không thèm trả lời. (He pursed his lips, refusing to answer.)
• Nhăn mặt (verb): to make a face, to grimace (a broader expression of dislike that may accompany "bĩu môi").
• Chê (verb): to criticize, to disdain (describes the feeling often expressed by "bĩu môi").

Synonyms

• Mím môi (verb): to press one's lips together tightly. While "mím môi" can indicate determination or suppressed emotion, it can sometimes overlap with "bĩu môi" in expressing restrained disapproval.
• Chu môi (verb): to pout, to push the lips out. This is closer to a sulky expression, whereas "bĩu môi" is more contemptuous.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Bĩu môi, bĩu mép: This is a reinforcing phrase, essentially repeating the action for emphasis ("to purse one's lips and pout").
  • Nghe xong, nó bĩu môi bĩu mép rồi bỏ đi. (After listening, he curled his lips in disdain and walked away.)

verb

1. to purse one's lips; to curl up one's lips