Definition

1. Verb:
   • To crumple; to scrunch up; to pucker: To contract or draw together into small folds or wrinkles. This is the primary meaning, often describing the action on flexible materials like paper, fabric, or skin.
   • To curl up; to shrivel: To become contracted into a tight, curled, or wrinkled form, often due to heat, dryness, or cold.
   • (Dialectal) To light; to kindle: A regional usage meaning to set something on fire, to ignite.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cậu bé dúm tờ giấy lại và ném đi. (The boy crumpled the paper and threw it away.)
  • Lá cây dúm lại vì nắng gắt. (The leaves curled up because of the harsh sun.)
  • (Dialect) Ông ấy dúm bếp lửa lên để nấu cơm. (He lit the kitchen fire to cook rice.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "dúm" is often used interchangeably with "nhúm" and "rúm" to describe the state of being wrinkled or contracted. It frequently appears in descriptive language for textures and physical states.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhúm (v): A variant spelling/pronunciation meaning to pucker, to crumple.
• Rúm (v): Another variant spelling/pronunciation with the same core meaning.
• Co dúm (v): To shrink back; to cower; to huddle up (often from fear or cold).
  • Con mèo co dúm trong góc. (The cat huddled up in the corner.)

Synonyms

• Crumple: To crush so as to form creases.
• Pucker: To gather into small wrinkles or folds.
• Shrivel: To contract and wrinkle, often from loss of moisture.
• (Dialect) Ignite: To set on fire.

Related Idioms

• Mặt dúm dó: A puckered/wrinkled face (often expressing distaste, concentration, or age).
  • Bà cụ cười để lộ khuôn mặt dúm dó. (The old lady smiled, revealing her wrinkled face.)

1. xem nhúm
   • xem rúm