Definition

1. Verb (informal):
   • To pull a cart or rickshaw: The literal meaning refers to the physical act of pulling a wheeled vehicle, typically a cart or a cycle rickshaw, using one's strength.
   • To conduct (a band, an orchestra): A figurative, colloquial meaning describing the action of leading or directing a musical ensemble.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người phu xe cầm càng chở khách qua phố. (The rickshaw puller pulled the cart to carry passengers through the street.)
  • Ông ấy cầm càng dàn nhạc giao hưởng rất điêu luyện. (He conducts the symphony orchestra with great skill.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is strongly colloquial. When used for conducting music, it carries a tone of familiarity and is not a formal technical term.
• It can imply a sense of bearing the main burden or responsibility for guiding something, similar to pulling the weight of a cart.

Variants and Related Words

• Kéo xe (v): to pull a vehicle (more common neutral term for pulling a rickshaw or cart).
• Chỉ huy dàn nhạc (v): to conduct an orchestra (the standard, formal term).

Synonyms

• Pull: to exert force to move something towards oneself.
• Conduct: to direct the performance of a group of musicians.
• Lead: to guide or be in charge.

Related Idioms

• Cầm càng đỡ đòn: To bear the brunt or take the main impact (often in a difficult situation).
  • Trong dự án khó khăn, anh ấy là người cầm càng đỡ đòn. (In the difficult project, he was the one who bore the brunt.)

1. Pull a cart
2. khẩu ngữ) Conduct (a band, an orchestrạ..)