Definition

Verb: - To slightly purse or pucker one's lips, often forming a subtle, restrained, or nascent smile. It describes a gentle, controlled movement of the lips, typically expressing amusement, shyness, or the beginning of a smile that is not yet fully open.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy chỉ chúm chím cười khi được khen. (She only gave a slight, pursed-lip smile when complimented.)
  • Đứa trẻ chúm chím môi, muốn khóc nhưng lại nhịn được. (The child pursed its lips slightly, wanting to cry but managing to hold back.)
  • Nụ cười chúm chím của anh ấy trông rất đáng yêu. (His slight, pursed-lip smile looks very adorable.)

Advanced Usage

• "chúm chím cười": This is the most common collocation. It specifically means to smile with slightly pursed lips, implying a smile that is demure, secretive, or not fully expressed.
  • Nghe câu chuyện đó, bà cụ chỉ chúm chím cười. (Hearing that story, the old lady just smiled a slight, pursed-lip smile.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chúm (verb): To pucker or purse (lips) more tightly or noticeably than "chúm chím." It can also mean to gather or pinch something into a small bundle.
  • Nó chúm môi lại tỏ vẻ không đồng ý. (He pursed his lips to show disagreement.)
• Mỉm cười (verb): To smile gently. While similar, "mỉm cười" focuses more on the gentle nature of the smile itself, not necessarily the specific lip movement of "chúm chím."

Synonyms

• Mỉm (verb): To smile gently. (Note: "Mỉm" is often used in "mỉm cười" and implies a soft smile, but without the specific connotation of pursed lips.)
• Cười mỉm (verb phrase): To smile gently. (A synonym for "mỉm cười").

Related Idioms

• Cười chúm chím: This is the standard idiomatic expression, synonymous with "chúm chím cười."
  • Thấy bộ dạng của nó, ai nấy đều cười chúm chím. (Seeing its appearance, everyone gave a slight, pursed-lip smile.)

1. To open slightly (one's lips)