dọn cơm
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To serve a meal, to set the table: The action of arranging and placing food, dishes, utensils, and other necessary items on the table in preparation for eating. It implies the final steps before a meal begins.
- To clear the table after a meal: The action of removing dishes, utensils, and leftovers from the table after eating is finished. The specific meaning is determined by context.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase (to serve/set):
- Con có thể giúp mẹ dọn cơm không? (Can you help me set the table/serve the meal?)
- Cô ấy đang dọn cơm cho cả gia đình. (She is serving the meal for the whole family.)
- Verb phrase (to clear):
- Sau khi ăn xong, anh ấy đứng lên dọn cơm. (After finishing eating, he stood up to clear the table.)
- Để tôi dọn cơm rồi chúng ta uống trà. (Let me clear the table and then we'll have tea.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is highly context-dependent. The words before or after it usually indicate whether it refers to the beginning or end of a meal.
- Dọn cơm lên bàn / ra bàn: To serve/set the meal on the table.
- Dọn cơm xuống / đi: To clear/take the dishes away from the table.
Variants and Related Words
- Dọn bàn (verb phrase): To set/clear the table. This focuses more on the table itself rather than the meal.
- Dọn dẹp (verb): To tidy up, to clean up (a broader term for cleaning).
- Bày cơm / Bày biện (verb phrase): To arrange/set out the food (similar to the "serving" meaning of ).
- Thu dọn (verb): To clear away, to tidy up (similar to the "clearing" meaning).
Synonyms
- Chuẩn bị bữa ăn (verb phrase): To prepare a meal (focuses more on the preparation than the act of placing on the table).
- Dọn bữa ăn (verb phrase): To serve/clear the meal (a very close synonym).
- Dọn mâm (verb phrase, Northern dialect): To serve/clear the meal (using "mâm" for a traditional round tray).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Dọn cơm nước (verb phrase): To handle meal preparation and service; implies the domestic work related to meals.
- Cả ngày cô ấy chỉ quanh quẩn với việc dọn cơm nước. (All day she just busies herself with handling the meals.)
Related Idioms
- While "dọn cơm" itself is not typically part of idioms, the concept is central to the idiom:
- Cơm bưng nước rót: (To have) meals served and water poured; describes being served attentively or living a pampered life.
- Anh ta sống trong cảnh cơm bưng nước rót. (He lives a life where meals are served to him on a platter.)