bốc

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The Vietnamese word "bốc" is a versatile verb that primarily means to pick up or scoop up something with your hands. It's often used in various contexts, which makes it a useful word to learn for new Vietnamese speakers.

Basic Meaning and Usage

1. To Pick Up or Scoop Up: You can use "bốc" when you want to describe the action of using your hands to take something.

   • Example: bốc một nắm muối (to take a handful of salt) – Here, "bốc" describes the action of scooping up salt with your hand.
   • Another example: bốc bùn (to scoop up mud) – In this case, it describes picking up mud with your hands.

2. Eating with Hands: The term is also used to describe eating without utensils.

   • Example: ăn bốc, không dùng thìa đũa (to eat with one's fingers, without using a spoon or chopsticks) – This expression emphasizes the action of eating directly with your hands.

3. Drawing or Selecting: "Bốc" can be used when drawing lots or cards.

   • Example: bốc quân bài (to draw a card) – Here, it refers to the action of picking a card from a deck.
   • Example: bốc thăm (to draw lots) – This indicates the process of selecting something randomly.

4. Medical Context: "Bốc" can also relate to traditional medicine.

   • Example: thầy lang kê đơn bốc thuốc (the herbalist writes out a prescription and makes it up) – In this context, it refers to the herbalist preparing medicine based on a prescription.

5. Exhumation: In a more formal context, "bốc" can mean to exhume or move remains.

   • Example: bốc hài cốt (to exhume and move remains) – This is used in legal or ceremonial contexts.

Advanced Usage

• "Bốc" can also imply a sense of action that involves some level of care or consideration, especially when it comes to choosing or selecting something important (like drawing lots).

Word Variants

• Bốc thuốc: Refers specifically to the preparation of medicinal herbs.
• Bốc thăm: Specifically means to draw lots.

Different Meanings

• While "bốc" generally conveys the idea of picking up or drawing, its meaning can change based on context. For instance, in medical or herbal contexts, it shifts to preparing or compounding medicines.

Synonyms

• Lấy: This means "to take" and can sometimes be used interchangeably with "bốc" in broader contexts.
• Múc: This means "to scoop" and is more specific to actions involving liquids or loose materials.

Academic

verb

1. To pick up in one's hands, to scoop up with one's hands
   • bốc một nắm muối
     to take a handful of salt
   • bốc bùn
     to scoop up mud in one's hands
   • ăn bốc, không dùng thìa đũa
     to eat with one's fingers, without using a spoon or chopsticks
2. To make up (một đơn thuốc bắc)
   • thầy lang kê đơn bốc thuốc
     the herbalist writes out a prescription and makes it up
3. To draw (lá bài, que thăm)
   • bốc quân bài
     to draw a card
   • bốc thăm
     to draw lots
   • To exhume and move (hài cốt) to another place