Definition

1. Verb:
   • To embrace, to clasp: To put one's arms around someone or something, often in a hug or to hold them.
   • To put round, to drape: To place something like a piece of clothing or fabric around oneself or another person, usually over the shoulders or head.
   • To startle into (doing something): To react with a sudden, quick movement, often due to surprise or alarm.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To embrace):

  • Cô ấy choàng tay ôm lấy người bạn thân. (She embraced her close friend.)
  • Đứa trẻ choàng cổ mẹ nó. (The child clasped his arms around his mother's neck.)

• Verb (To put round):

  • Trời lạnh, anh ấy choàng chiếc khăn len. (It was cold, so he draped a wool scarf around himself.)
  • Cô ấy choàng vội chiếc áo khoác rồi chạy ra ngoài. (She hastily threw a coat around herself and ran outside.)

• Verb (To startle into action):

  • Nghe tiếng động lớn, anh ta choàng dậy. (Hearing a loud noise, he startled awake and sat up.)
  • Cô ấy choàng mở mắt khi chuông báo thức reo. (Her eyes flew open when the alarm clock rang.)

Advanced Usage

• "choàng vai": to put an arm around someone's shoulder (literally or figuratively for camaraderie).
  • Họ choàng vai nhau và cùng bước đi. (They walked with their arms around each other's shoulders.)
• "choàng choàng": (reduplicated form) can imply a hurried or careless action of draping or putting something on.
  • Cậu bé choàng choàng chiếc áo ấm rồi đi học. (The boy hastily and carelessly put on his warm coat and went to school.)

Variants and Related Words

• Áo choàng (n): A cloak, robe, or cape. (This is a compound noun, not the verb itself).
  • Cô ấy mặc một chiếc áo choàng màu đỏ. (She wore a red cloak.)
• Khăn choàng (n): A scarf, shawl, or stole. (This is a compound noun).
  • Khăn choàng cổ rất cần thiết vào mùa đông. (A scarf is essential in winter.)

Synonyms

• Ôm (v): To hug, to hold. (More general for hugging).
• Khoác (v): To sling over, to put on (clothing, often over shoulders). (Similar for draping clothing).
• Giật mình (v): To be startled. (Similar for the startled reaction).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Choàng lấy (v): To clasp onto, to embrace (someone/something).
  • Cô ấy choàng lấy đứa con nhỏ. (She clasped her young child in her arms.)
• Choàng qua (v): To put (something) around/over.
  • Anh ấy choàng qua vai một sợi dây thừng. (He put a rope around his shoulder.)

Related Idioms

• Choàng tỉnh giấc: To wake up with a start.
  • Tiếng sét đánh khiến mọi người choàng tỉnh giấc. (The thunderclap caused everyone to wake up with a start.)
• Mắt choàng mở: (Eyes fly open) To open one's eyes wide suddenly.
  • Nghe tin đó, bà ấy mắt choàng mở vì ngạc nhiên. (Hearing that news, her eyes flew open in surprise.)

verb

1. To embrace, to clasp
   • đưa tay choàng qua vai bạn
     to embrace a friend in one's arm
   • choàng ngang hông
     to clasp someone in the middle
   • em bé dang hai tay ôm choàng lấy cổ mẹ
     the little child embraced his mother, enclosing his arms round her neck
2. To put round
   • choàng dây qua vai để kéo
     to put a cord round one's shoulder and pull
   • choàng khăn lên đầu
     to put a scarf round one's head
3. To be startled into (doing something)
   • hoảng hốt choàng dậy
     to be startled (into sitting) up