Definition

1. Number:
   • Five; about five: "Dăm" is a word used to indicate the approximate number five, meaning "about five" or "around five." It often implies a small, indefinite quantity close to five.
   • Few; a small number: In a broader sense, "dăm" can also mean "a few" or "a small number," typically more than one but not many, often used in a vague or estimated way.

Usage Examples

• Number:
  • Anh ấy sẽ về sau dăm ngày nữa. (He will return in about five days.)
  • Chỉ còn dăm ba cái bánh trong hộp. (There are only a few cakes left in the box.)
  • Công việc này tốn dăm bảy phút thôi. (This task will take just five to seven minutes.)

Advanced Usage

• "Dăm ba": A few; a small number (often three to five). This is a common compound phrase.

  • Cô ấy chỉ mua dăm ba món đồ. (She only bought a few items.)

• "Dăm bảy": About five to seven; a handful. This is another common compound phrase indicating a small, approximate range.

  • Nhóm có dăm bảy người. (The group has about five to seven people.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dăm ba (phrase): A few; a small number (typically around three to five).
• Dăm bảy (phrase): About five to seven; a handful.
• Vài ba (phrase): A few; several (similar to "dăm ba" but can be slightly more vague).
• Độ năm (phrase): Approximately five; about five (more formal than "dăm").

Synonyms

• Khoảng năm: About five.
• Độ chừng năm: Approximately five.
• Vài: A few; several (can be used independently for small, indefinite quantities).

Notes on Usage

• Context: "Dăm" is primarily used in Northern Vietnamese dialects. It is informal and commonly used in spoken language or informal writing to give a rough estimate.
• Combination: It is rarely used alone as a standalone number. It almost always appears in fixed phrases like "dăm ba" or "dăm bảy" to indicate a vague, small quantity. Using it alone (e.g., "dăm người") is possible but less common and still implies "about five."
• Nuance: It carries a connotation of modesty or downplaying the quantity, suggesting the amount is small and insignificant.

number five; few; about five