Definition

1. Noun:

   • A moment, an instant: A very short, indefinite period of time. This meaning is often used in the phrase "một chập" (a moment).

2. Verb:

   • To join together, to fasten together: To connect or bind two or more separate items, typically long, thin objects like wires, strings, or threads, into one.
   • To twist together (strands): To intertwine multiple strands, such as thread or yarn, to form a single, stronger ply.
   • To short-circuit, to come into contact (electrical): For electrical wires or circuits to touch accidentally, causing a short circuit.
   • (Of thoughts, memories) To blur together, to become confused: For separate memories or ideas to merge or become indistinct.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hãy đợi tôi một chập. (Wait for me a moment.)
• Verb:
  • Chập hai sợi dây thừng lại để nó chắc hơn. (Fasten the two ropes together to make it stronger.)
  • Sợi chỉ này được chập từ ba sợi nhỏ. (This thread is made from three small strands twisted together.)
  • Dây điện bị chập, gây ra tia lửa. (The wires short-circuited, causing a spark.)
  • Ký ức tuổi thơ trong tôi đã chập lại, khó phân biệt. (My childhood memories have blurred together and are hard to distinguish.)

Advanced Usage

• "chập mạch": to short-circuit (electrically); (figuratively) to have a mental short circuit, to think irrationally.
  • Anh ta nói năng linh tinh, chắc là bị chập mạch rồi. (He's talking nonsense; he must have short-circuited.)
• "chập chờn": to flicker (of light); to be unsteady, fluctuating (of a state or condition).
  • Ngọn nến chập chờn trong gió. (The candle flickered in the wind.)
  • Ý thức của bệnh nhân vẫn còn chập chờn. (The patient's consciousness is still fluctuating.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chặp (n): A variant spelling/pronunciation meaning "a moment, a short while."
  • Một chặp sau, cô ấy quay lại. (A short while later, she returned.)
• Chập chững (v): To toddle; to be in the early, unsteady stages of something.
  • Đứa bé đang chập chững tập đi. (The baby is toddling, learning to walk.)

Synonyms

• Noun (moment): Instant, moment, second.
• Verb (join): Connect, fuse, splice.
• Verb (short-circuit): Short, cause a short.

Related Idioms

• Chập chờn như ma trơi: To flicker like a will-o'-the-wisp. Describes something unsteady, elusive, or ghostly.
  • Ánh đèn trong túp lều chập chờn như ma trơi. (The light in the hut flickered like a will-o'-the-wisp.)

noun

1. như chặp

verb

1. To fasten together, to twist together
   • chập hai sợi dây buộc cho chắc
     to fasten together two strings for more solidity
   • sợi chỉ xe chập ba
     a thread made of three strands twisted together, a three-strand thread
   • sợi len chập bốn
     four-ply wool thread
2. To put in direct contact (electric wire); to tangle (a watch hairspring..)
3. chạp mả
4. Visit one's ancestor tombs (at the end of the Lunar Year)