cơm vắt
Definitions
- Noun:
- A ball of rice: A portion of cooked rice that has been compressed by hand into a compact, often oval or cylindrical shape for easy carrying and eating without utensils.
- A simple, portable meal: Refers to a basic, convenient food item, typically consisting of rice alone or sometimes with a simple accompaniment, traditionally associated with travelers, laborers, or soldiers.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy thường mang theo cơm vắt khi đi rừng. (He often brings a ball of rice when going into the forest.)
- Trong chiến tranh, cơm vắt là lương thực chính của bộ đội. (During the war, balls of rice were the main food for soldiers.)
Advanced Usage
- Cultural Context: "Cơm vắt" evokes imagery of simplicity, hardship, and resilience. It is deeply connected to historical contexts like long journeys, manual labor, and wartime.
- Hình ảnh cơm vắt, muối vừng gợi nhớ về một thời kỳ gian khó. (The image of a rice ball with sesame salt recalls a period of hardship.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cơm nắm (Noun): A more common, standard term for a ball of rice or rice ball. "Cơm vắt" is often considered a dialectal or regional variant of "cơm nắm."
- Cơm nếp vắt (Noun): A ball of sticky/glutinous rice.
- Cơm đùm (Noun, less common): Another term implying rice wrapped or bundled for travel.
Synonyms
- Cơm nắm (Noun): Rice ball.
- Cơm nắm muối vừng (Noun): Rice ball with sesame salt (a classic combination).
Related Phrases/Idioms
- Cơm vắt, muối vừng: A set phrase describing a very simple, frugal meal of a rice ball and sesame salt, symbolizing modest living or survival rations.
- Sống qua ngày với cơm vắt, muối vừng. (To get by day-to-day with just rice balls and sesame salt.)