Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To lay the table, to set the table: The action of arranging plates, cutlery, glasses, and other necessary items on a table before a meal.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trước bữa tối, tôi thường giúp mẹ dọn ăn. (Before dinner, I often help my mother lay the table.)
  • Cô ấy đã dọn ăn rất đẹp mắt cho bữa tiệc. (She set the table very beautifully for the party.)
  • Bạn có thể dọn ăn được không? Chúng ta sắp ăn trưa rồi. (Can you set the table? We're about to have lunch.)

Advanced Usage

• "dọn ăn xong": to have finished setting the table.
  • Tôi đã dọn ăn xong rồi, mọi người có thể vào bàn. (I have finished setting the table, everyone can come to the table.)
• "dọn ăn cho...": to set the table for (a number of people or a specific meal).
  • Chị dọn ăn cho sáu người nhé. (Please set the table for six people.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dọn bàn (verb phrase): to clear the table (after a meal). Note: This is the opposite action.
  • Sau khi ăn xong, anh ấy đã dọn bàn. (After finishing the meal, he cleared the table.)
• Dọn dẹp (verb): to tidy up, to clean up (a more general term).
  • Chúng tôi cần dọn dẹp nhà cửa. (We need to tidy up the house.)

Synonyms

• Sắp bàn ăn (verb phrase): to arrange the dining table. (A less common synonym with the same meaning.)
• Bày bàn ăn (verb phrase): to lay out the dining table. (A synonym with the same core meaning.)

Related Phrases

• Dọn cơm (verb phrase): This phrase can have two meanings depending on context. It can mean "to set the table for a rice-based meal" (similar to ), or more commonly, "to serve rice/food" or "to prepare a meal".
  • Mẹ bảo tôi dọn cơm tối. (Mom told me to set the table for dinner / to serve dinner.)

Notes on Usage

• "Dọn ăn" specifically refers to the final step of preparing the table with dishes and utensils. It does not include cooking the food.
• This phrase is commonly used in everyday, domestic contexts.
• The action is typically completed just before the meal begins.

1. Lay the table