dạm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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.)