Definition

Verb: * To propose (marriage): To formally ask someone to marry you. This word specifically refers to the act of asking for someone's hand in marriage. * To ask for (someone's) hand (in marriage): A traditional phrase meaning to request permission or to formally offer marriage.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy cầu hôn cô ấy dưới ánh nến. (He proposed to her by candlelight.)
  • Sau ba năm yêu nhau, anh ấy quyết định cầu hôn. (After three years of dating, he decided to propose.)
  • Lễ cầu hôn được tổ chức rất trang trọng tại nhà gái. (The marriage proposal ceremony was held very formally at the bride's family's house.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm lễ cầu hôn": to perform/hold a proposal ceremony. This refers to the formal ritual, often involving the groom's family visiting the bride's family with gifts to formally ask for her hand.
  • Gia đình nhà trai đã đến làm lễ cầu hôn. (The groom's family came to perform the proposal ceremony.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lời cầu hôn (n): The marriage proposal (the words spoken or the act itself).
  • Lời cầu hôn của anh ấy thật lãng mạn. (His proposal was very romantic.)
• Người cầu hôn (n): The proposer; the one who proposes (typically the man in traditional contexts).
  • Người cầu hôn thường rất hồi hộp. (The proposer is often very nervous.)
• Đám hỏi / Lễ ăn hỏi (n): The betrothal ceremony, which often follows a successful . This is a more formal engagement party with the exchange of gifts.

Synonyms

• Hỏi cưới: To ask for marriage (often used interchangeably with , but can sometimes imply a later, more definitive stage).
• Ngỏ lời cầu hôn: To utter the words of proposal (a more descriptive phrase for the act).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• (Được/không được) nhận lời cầu hôn: To accept/decline a marriage proposal.
  • Cô ấy vui mừng nhận lời cầu hôn của anh. (She happily accepted his marriage proposal.)

verb

1. To ask for (a girl's) hand