Definition

1. Verb:
   • To weigh and measure: The primary meaning of "cân đo" is the act of determining the weight and dimensions of an object, often for trade, assessment, or comparison.
   • To evaluate / to appraise: In a figurative sense, "cân đo" means to carefully judge, assess, or weigh the value, importance, or qualities of something or someone.

Usage Examples

• Verb (literal):

  • Người bán hàng cân đo kỹ lưỡng trước khi đóng gói. (The shopkeeper carefully weighs and measures before packaging.)
  • Công việc của viên chức này là kiểm tra và cân đo hàng hóa. (This official's job is to inspect and weigh and measure goods.)

• Verb (figurative):

  • Đừng cân đo tình cảm bằng vật chất. (Do not measure affection with material things.)
  • Anh ấy luôn cân đo đong đếm mọi lợi ích trước khi quyết định. (He always calculates and weighs every benefit before making a decision.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often part of the four-word idiom "cân đo đong đếm", which intensifies the meaning to convey meticulous calculation, measurement, or scrutiny of pros and cons, often with a slightly negative connotation of being overly calculating.
  • Cô ấy có tính toán cân đo đong đếm quá mức. (She is excessively calculating.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cân (v): to weigh.

  • Cô ấy cân túi đường. (She weighs the bag of sugar.)

• Đo (v): to measure.

  • Anh ấy đo chiều dài của cái bàn. (He measures the length of the table.)

Synonyms

• Measure: to ascertain the dimensions or quantity.
• Weigh: to determine the heaviness of.
• Evaluate: to judge or assess the nature, quality, or importance.
• Appraise: to assess the value or quality.

Related Idioms

• Cân đo đong đếm: to weigh and measure meticulously; to be calculating.
  • Trong tình yêu, không nên có sự cân đo đong đếm. (In love, there should be no calculation.)

1. Weights and measures