Definition

1. Noun:
   • Food; meals: "Cơm nước" refers to food and drink, specifically the daily meals. It broadly encompasses the concept of sustenance and the routine of eating.
   • Figurative - Servitude: In the idiom "cơm thầy cơm cô," it figuratively refers to the condition of being a servant or dependent, where one's meals are provided by a master or employer.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy phải lo cơm nước cho cả gia đình. (He has to take care of the meals for the whole family.)
  • Cơm nước xong, chúng tôi bắt đầu làm việc. (After finishing the meal, we started working.)
  • Công việc của cô ấy chỉ là cơm thầy cơm cô. (Her job is merely that of a servant / She works just for room and board.)

Advanced Usage

• "lo cơm nước": to be responsible for preparing meals, to take care of the food.
  • Trong nhà, bà thường lo cơm nước. (In the house, she usually takes care of the meals.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bữa ăn (n): meal. A more standard, formal term for a specific eating occasion.
  • Bữa ăn tối rất ngon. (The dinner was delicious.)
• Ẩm thực (n): cuisine. Refers to the art or style of cooking.
  • Ẩm thực Việt Nam rất phong phú. (Vietnamese cuisine is very rich.)

Synonyms

• Thức ăn: food, sustenance.
• Bữa cơm: meal (specifically a rice-based meal).

Related Phrases

• Cơm thầy cơm cô (Idiom): Literally "the master's rice, the teacher's rice." It describes the state of being a servant, employee, or dependent who receives food and lodging in return for service.
  • Anh ta làm việc trong tình trạng cơm thầy cơm cô. (He works in a servile condition / for just room and board.)

Related Idioms

• Đầu tắt mặt tối lo cơm nước: To work tirelessly from dawn till dusk just to make ends meet and provide daily meals.
  • Họ đầu tắt mặt tối lo cơm nước cho các con. (They work themselves to the bone to provide food for their children.)

noun

1. Food; meal
   • lo cơm nước
     To see the meal
   • cơm thầy cơm cô (fig)
     Servants