Definition

1. Noun:

   • Mangrove swamp; marsh: A low-lying, waterlogged area, often characterized by muddy soil and specific vegetation like reeds or mangroves.

2. Verb:

   • To carry (with both hands): To hold and transport something, typically at chest or waist level, using both hands in a careful or respectful manner.
   • To cover; to cup: To place one or both hands over something to conceal, protect, or muffle it. It implies a complete or tight covering.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Khu vực này xưa là một cánh đồng bưng. (This area was once a mangrove swamp.)
• Verb (to carry):
  • Cô ấy bưng khay trà ra mời khách. (She carried out a tea tray to serve the guests.)
  • Con bưng bát cơm lên cho mẹ. (The child carried the bowl of rice up to their mother.)
• Verb (to cover):
  • Cậu bé bưng miệng cười. (The boy cupped his hand over his smiling mouth.)
  • Trời tối như bưng. (It is pitch-dark. / Literally: It is as dark as if covered.)

Advanced Usage

• "bưng bít": To cover up, to conceal (often information or the truth).
  • Họ cố gắng bưng bít sự thật. (They tried to cover up the truth.)
• "kín như bưng": An idiom meaning "tightly sealed" or "closely guarded (as a secret)." It describes something extremely secure or secretive.
  • Thông tin về dự án được giữ kín như bưng. (Information about the project is kept completely secret.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bưng biển (n): A larger, more extensive swamp or marshland region.

Synonyms

• To carry: To hold and move something from one place to another.
• To cover: To place something over or upon.
• Swamp: An area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects.

Related Idioms

• Tối như bưng: Pitch-black, very dark. Used to describe a place with no light.
  • Trong hang động, tối như bưng. (Inside the cave, it was pitch-dark.)
• Bưng tai bịt mắt: To turn a blind eye; to deliberately ignore reality (literally: to cover ears and blindfold eyes).
  • Anh ta cứ bưng tai bịt mắt trước những lời cảnh báo. (He kept turning a blind eye to the warnings.)

noun

1. Mangrove swamp

verb

1. To carry
   • bưng khay chén
     to carry a tray and cups
2. To cover, to stretch over, to cup in one's hand
   • bưng miệng cười
     to cup one's smiling mouth in one's hand
   • trời tối như bưng
     it is as dark as if one's eyes were covered with a bandage, it is pitch-dark
   • kín như bưng
     as tight as if covered