Definition

1. Verb:

   • To copy by hand, to transcribe manually: The action of writing or reproducing text by hand, not using a printing press or other mechanical means.
   • To write down manually: The act of recording information in one's own handwriting.

2. Noun:

   • A manuscript, a handwritten copy: A document, book, or text that is written by hand.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Trước khi có máy in, người ta phải chép tay sách. (Before printing presses existed, people had to copy books by hand.)
  • Cô ấy chép tay lại toàn bộ bài thơ vào sổ tay. (She transcribed the entire poem by hand into her notebook.)

• Noun:

  • Đây là một bản chép tay quý hiếm từ thế kỷ 18. (This is a rare manuscript from the 18th century.)
  • Tôi chỉ có bản chép tay của tài liệu này. (I only have a handwritten copy of this document.)

Advanced Usage

• "sao chép bằng tay": This is a more formal or explicit synonym meaning "to copy/reproduce by hand."
  • Công việc sao chép bằng tay rất tỉ mỉ và mất thời gian. (The work of copying by hand is very meticulous and time-consuming.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bản chép tay (n): A handwritten version, a manuscript. This is the most common compound noun form.

  • Bản chép tay gốc được lưu giữ trong thư viện. (The original manuscript is kept in the library.)

• Viết tay (v/n): To write by hand / handwriting. This is a broader term for any act of writing by hand or the resulting script.

  • Anh ấy viết tay một lá thư. (He wrote a letter by hand.)
  • Chữ viết tay của cô ấy rất đẹp. (Her handwriting is very beautiful.)

Synonyms

• Ghi chép (v): To take notes, to record. This emphasizes the act of recording information.
• Sao chép (v): To copy, to reproduce. This is a general term for copying, which can be manual or mechanical.

Related Phrases

• Chép lại (phrasal verb): To copy down, to transcribe. This combines 'chép' (to copy) with 'lại' (again, down) to emphasize the action of transcription.
  • Hãy chép lại những điều quan trọng từ bảng đen. (Please copy down the important points from the blackboard.)

Related Idioms

• (Không common idioms use the exact phrase 'chép tay'. It is typically used in its literal sense.)