Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Fixedly, intently, with a fixed gaze: Describes the manner of looking at something or someone without looking away, often with great concentration, intensity, or a specific emotion (e.g., anger, curiosity, scrutiny).

Usage

• "Chằm chằm" is used to modify verbs of seeing, most commonly "nhìn" (to look). It describes a stare that is unwavering and focused.
• It is placed directly before the verb it modifies (e.g., ).
• This word often carries a connotation of intensity, which can be neutral (e.g., observing), negative (e.g., glaring), or positive (e.g., admiring intently), depending on the context.

Usage Examples

• (She stared fixedly at the computer screen, highly focused.)
• (The child stared intently at the candy store with a longing look.)
• (He glared at me angrily.)
• (The contestant stared fixedly at the exam question, trying to find the solution.)

Advanced Usage

• "dán mắt chằm chằm": To glue one's eyes fixedly on something. This is a more emphatic and idiomatic expression.
  • Cậu bé dán mắt chằm chằm vào màn hình TV. (The boy glued his eyes to the TV screen.)
• "chỉ tay và nhìn chằm chằm": To point and stare fixedly. This combination emphasizes a direct and accusatory or commanding action.
  • Giáo viên chỉ tay và nhìn chằm chằm vào học sinh mắc lỗi. (The teacher pointed and stared fixedly at the student who made a mistake.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chòng chọc (adverb): To stare piercingly or provocatively. It often has a more negative, challenging, or invasive connotation than "chằm chằm."
  • Sao anh cứ nhìn chòng chọc vào người ta thế? (Why do you keep staring so piercingly at people?)
• Chăm chú (adverb): Attentively, carefully. It describes focused attention but does not necessarily imply the same intense, unmoving gaze as "chằm chằm." It is more about concentration.
  • Học sinh nghe chăm chú bài giảng. (The students listened attentively to the lecture.)

Synonyms

• Đăm đăm (adverb): Fixedly, absorbedly. Very similar in meaning and usage to "chằm chằm," often interchangeable.
  • Ông ấy nhìn đăm đăm về phía chân trời. (He gazed fixedly toward the horizon.)
• Không chớp mắt (phrase): Without blinking. Literally describes a stare so intense one does not blink.

Related Phrases

• Nhìn trừng trừng: To glare, to stare with a threatening or angry expression. The connotation is more explicitly hostile.
  • Anh ta nhìn trừng trừng kẻ đối diện. (He glared at his opponent.)
• Nhìn xoáy vào: To bore one's eyes into someone/something. Suggests an attempt to see through or deeply understand something with intense visual focus.

adj

1. Fixedly
   • nhìn chằm chằm vào ai
     to look fixedly at someone, to stare at someone