Definition

1. Verb:

   • To propose; to offer (a suggestion or intention): The primary modern meaning of "dạm" is to formally propose or offer something, most commonly used in the context of proposing marriage or expressing a serious intention.
   • To sound out; to tentatively inquire: It can also mean to make a preliminary or cautious inquiry about something, such as testing someone's interest or willingness.

2. Verb (archaic/obsolete):

   • To trace over (writing or drawing): An older meaning refers to the act of tracing over pre-written characters, often with a brush, to practice calligraphy.
   • To sketch; to outline: To draw or paint a preliminary sketch.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Modern):
  • Gia đình nhà trai đến dạm hỏi. (The groom's family came to propose marriage.)
  • Tôi muốn dạm mua chiếc xe cũ của anh. (I want to propose buying your old car.)
• Verb (Archaic):
  • Học trò phải dạm lại những chữ thầy đồ viết mẫu. (The student had to trace over the characters the teacher wrote as a model.)

Advanced Usage

• "dạm hỏi": to propose marriage; to ask for someone's hand in marriage. This is a set phrase for the formal marriage proposal process.
  • Lễ dạm hỏi sẽ diễn ra vào cuối tuần. (The engagement ceremony will take place at the weekend.)
• "dạm ngõ": a preliminary visit or meeting, often before a formal marriage proposal, to introduce families and express initial intentions.
  • Sau buổi dạm ngõ, hai gia đình rất hài lòng. (After the introductory meeting, both families were very pleased.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ướm hỏi (v): to sound out, to feel out. This is a close synonym for the tentative inquiry sense of "dạm".
  • Anh ấy ướm hỏi ý kiến của tôi về kế hoạch. (He sounded out my opinion about the plan.)

Synonyms

• Propose: to put forward an idea or intention for consideration.
• Offer: to present something for acceptance or rejection.
• Sound out: to try to discover someone's opinions or feelings cautiously.

Related Idioms

• Dạm bán thuyền: Literally "to propose selling a boat," from a famous poem by Nguyễn Bính. It poetically conveys the act of tentatively offering something very personal or valuable, often as a metaphor for testing a relationship.
  • Câu thơ "Lang thang anh dạm bán thuyền" nói về sự thăm dò trong tình yêu. (The line of poetry "Wandering, I proposed selling my boat" speaks of testing the waters in love.)

verb

1. to offer ; to propose