Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take something that belongs to someone else, often quickly, stealthily, or unfairly; to pinch, to swipe, to snatch. This is the most common usage, often implying an opportunistic or dishonest appropriation.
   • (Of animals, especially pigs) To have a long, pointed snout. This is a specific, descriptive usage.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to take):
  • Nó chõm luôn cái bánh mì của tôi. (He swiped my sandwich right away.)
  • Đừng có chõm đồ của người khác. (Don't pinch other people's stuff.)
• Verb (descriptive, of animals):
  • Con lợn này mũi chõm. (This pig has a long, pointed snout.)

Advanced Usage

• "chõm chỗ" / "chõm chỗ ngồi": to grab/take a seat (often before someone else can).
  • Cậu ấy đến sớm và chõm mất chỗ ngồi tốt nhất. (He arrived early and snatched the best seat.)
• "chõm việc": to take over a job or task (often implying doing so in a way that sidelines the original person).
  • Anh ta lén chõm việc của đồng nghiệp để lấy công. (He stealthily took over his colleague's work to claim credit.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chôm (verb, Southern Vietnamese variant): A common variant of "chõm" with the same meaning (to pinch, to swipe).
  • Thằng bé chôm cái kẹo. (The boy swiped the candy.)
• Chóp (verb): While "chóp" can mean "to top" or "to finish," in some informal contexts, it can be used similarly to "chõm" to mean taking something quickly, especially the best part. (Note: This is a distinct word with overlapping informal usage).

Synonyms

• Chiếm đoạt: to usurp, to seize (more formal and severe).
• Lấy trộm: to steal, to take stealthily.
• Cướp: to rob, to snatch (more forceful and violent).
• Tọng (slang): to stuff, to take for oneself (often food).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Chõm mất: to have something snatched away.
  • Tôi định lấy cái bút thì đã bị người khác chõm mất. (I was about to take the pen when someone else swiped it away.)

Related Idioms

• Ăn chõm: to eat without paying or without contributing; to freeload.
  • Hắn ta suốt ngày đi ăn chõm ở các bữa tiệc. (He's always freeloading at parties.)
• Ngủ chõm: to sleep over at someone's place unexpectedly or without proper invitation.
  • Hôm qua trời mưa, tôi phải ngủ chõm tại nhà bạn. (Yesterday it rained, so I had to crash at my friend's place.)

verb

1. To pinch
   • chõm của người khác
     to pinch others' things