Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To be slow in one's steps; to walk or proceed slowly: The literal meaning describing a physical action of moving at a low speed.
   • To be late; to fall behind; to lag: A figurative meaning indicating a delay in progress, arrival, or development compared to others.

Usage Examples

• Literal (Physical movement):

  • Ông cụ chậm bước trên con đường làng. (The old man walked slowly on the village path.)
  • Vì đôi chân đau, cô ấy phải chậm bước. (Because her feet hurt, she had to walk slowly.)

• Figurative (Being late/falling behind):

  • Công ty chúng tôi đã chậm bước trong cuộc đua công nghệ. (Our company has fallen behind in the technology race.)
  • Nếu bạn chậm bước, bạn sẽ bỏ lỡ cơ hội. (If you are late, you will miss the opportunity.)

Advanced Usage

• "chậm bước chân": A slight variant emphasizing the slowness of one's feet/steps. It can be used interchangeably in many contexts.
  • Anh ta luôn chậm bước chân so với kế hoạch. (He is always behind schedule.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chậm trễ (adj/verb): To be delayed, tardy. This is a more general and common term for lateness.

  • Chuyến bay bị chậm trễ hai giờ. (The flight was delayed by two hours.)

• Tụt hậu (verb): To fall behind, to lag behind (often in development or competition). Stronger connotation than "chậm bước".

  • Đất nước không thể để tụt hậu. (The country cannot afford to fall behind.)

Synonyms

• Đi chậm: To walk slowly.
• Tới muộn / Đến muộn: To arrive late.
• Tụt lại phía sau: To lag behind.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Chậm bước, lỡ bước": A saying meaning "slow step, missed step," emphasizing that being slow or late causes one to miss opportunities.
  • Trong kinh doanh, chậm bước, lỡ bước là thất bại. (In business, being slow and missing your step is failure.)