Definition

1. Verb (informal):
   • To be pregnant: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. This term is used for humans and animals.
   • To be with young/with child: An informal, direct way to describe a female (human or animal) that is expecting offspring.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy có chửa được ba tháng rồi. (She is pregnant for three months already.)
  • Con chó nhà tôi có chửa. (My dog is with young.)
  • Người ta nói cô ta có chửa. (People say she is with child.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is considered informal and direct. In more formal or polite contexts, alternatives like "có thai" (for humans) or "có mang" are preferred.
• It can sometimes carry a slightly judgmental or crude nuance depending on the context, especially when used about people outside of marriage.

Variants and Related Words

• Chửa (verb): The root verb meaning "to be pregnant." "Có chửa" is a common informal phrase using this verb.
• Có thai (verb phrase): A more standard and neutral term for "to be pregnant" (used for humans).
• Có mang (verb phrase): A more literary or euphemistic term for "to be pregnant" or "to carry."
• Mang thai (verb): To carry a pregnancy, to be pregnant.
• Thai nghén (verb): To be pregnant, to gestate (often used in medical or formal contexts).

Synonyms

• Mang bầu: To be pregnant (common, slightly less informal than "có chửa").
• Có em bé: To have a baby on the way (a gentle, common expression).

Related Phrases

• Đàn bà có chửa: A pregnant woman.
• Vật nuôi có chửa: A pregnant domestic animal.

Notes on Usage

• "Có chửa" is applicable to both humans and animals. The reference context specifies "to be big with child (người)" for people and "to be with young (thú)" for animals.
• It is important to recognize the register. While perfectly understandable, using this term in formal writing or polite conversation about a person may be considered impolite. "Có thai" or "mang thai" are safer, more neutral choices.

1. To be big with child (người), to be with young (thu')