Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Unrelated; having no familial connection: Describes a person who is a stranger or not a relative.
   • Idle; slack; free: Describes a period of time with no work or obligations, or a state of inactivity.

2. Verb (dialectal, variant of dâng):

   • To offer; to proffer; to present respectfully: To give something to someone, often a superior, in a ceremonial or respectful manner.
   • To rise (of water level): For water to increase in height or level.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ta chỉ là người dưng. (He is just a stranger.)
  • Hôm nay là ngày dưng, tôi không có việc gì để làm. (Today is a slack day; I have nothing to do.)

• Verb:

  • Họ dưng lễ vật lên bàn thờ. (They offered the gifts upon the altar.)
  • Nước lũ dưng lên rất nhanh. (The floodwater rose very quickly.)

Advanced Usage

• The adjective form is commonly used in fixed phrases and idioms to emphasize a lack of relationship or obligation.
• The verb form is considered dialectal and is largely interchangeable with the standard word , though it may carry a slightly more rustic or regional nuance.

Variants and Related Words

• Dâng (verb): The standard form meaning "to offer," "to present," or "to rise (water)."
  • dâng hiến: to dedicate, to devote.
  • dâng tặng: to present (as a gift).

Synonyms

• Adjective: Unrelated (stranger), idle, free, slack.
• Verb: Offer, present, give, rise, increase.

Related Idioms

• Người dưng nước lã: A complete stranger (literally "an unrelated person and plain water").
  • Giúp đỡ một người dưng nước lã. (To help a complete stranger.)
• Ăn dưng ngồi rồi: To be idle and unproductive (literally "to eat idly and sit emptily").
  • Không thể suốt ngày ăn dưng ngồi rồi được. (You can't be idle all day long.)

verb

1. to offer; to proffer

adj

1. Slack; idle
   • ngày dưng
     A slack day