Definition

1. Verb:
   • To shrink, to contract, to become smaller or shorter: "dùn" describes the action of something becoming smaller in size, length, or volume, often due to an external force like heat, moisture, or pressure.
   • To recoil, to flinch, to draw back: "dùn" can also mean to suddenly move or pull a part of the body backward, often due to fear, surprise, or pain.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sợi dây cao su bị kéo rồi dùn lại. (The rubber band was stretched and then shrank back.)
  • Cậu bé dùn người lại vì sợ hãi. (The boy recoiled in fear.)
  • Vải này giặt bằng nước nóng có thể bị dùn. (This fabric may shrink if washed in hot water.)

Advanced Usage

• "dùn bước": to hesitate, to be reluctant to move forward (often used figuratively).

  • Thấy khó khăn, anh ấy đã dùn bước. (Seeing the difficulty, he hesitated to proceed.)

• "dùn vai": to shrug one's shoulders (a physical gesture).

  • Cô ấy chỉ dùn vai mà không trả lời. (She just shrugged her shoulders without answering.)

Variants and Related Words

• Co dùn (verb): to contract and expand, to be elastic.

  • Cơ bắp có khả năng co dùn. (Muscles have the ability to contract and expand.)

• Rút dùn (verb): to shrink back significantly, to cower.

  • Con chó rút dùn vào góc nhà. (The dog cowered in the corner of the house.)

Synonyms

• Co lại (verb): to contract, to shrink.
• Rụt lại (verb): to pull back, to retract.
• Lùi lại (verb): to step back, to retreat.

Related Idioms

• Dùn chân dùn tay: (to be) hesitant, timid, or clumsy in action.
  • Lần đầu phát biểu, cô ấy còn dùn chân dùn tay. (Speaking for the first time, she was still rather hesitant and clumsy.)