em em
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- A little smaller; slightly smaller: "em em" describes something that is smaller in size, amount, or degree compared to something else, but only by a small margin.
Usage
- "Em em" is used in comparative constructions, typically following the structure: A + cũng + em em + B (A is also a little smaller than B). It directly modifies the comparative state.
- It is a colloquial and somewhat poetic reduplication of the word "em" (which can mean younger sibling or a term of endearment), used here to indicate a slight degree.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cái lọ hoa kia cũng em em cái này. (That flower vase is also a little smaller than this one.)
- Căn phòng của anh ấy em em phòng của tôi. (His room is slightly smaller than mine.)
Advanced Usage
- Implied Comparison: The comparison is often implied by context, even if the second object is not explicitly stated.
- Chọn cái bàn em em một chút đi. (Choose the table that is a bit smaller.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nhỏ hơn: (Verb phrase) To be smaller than. This is the standard, non-reduplicated way to express "smaller than."
- Cái cốc này nhỏ hơn cái kia. (This cup is smaller than that one.)
- Bé hơn: (Verb phrase) To be smaller/littler than (often used for people or endearingly for objects).
- Em trai tôi bé hơn tôi hai tuổi. (My younger brother is two years younger than me.)
Synonyms
- Hơi nhỏ hơn: A little smaller.
- Nhỏ hơn một chút: Smaller by a bit.
- Bé hơn một tí: A tad smaller.
Notes
- Em em is not a standard comparative form like "nhỏ hơn." Its use is more idiomatic, lyrical, or regional, adding a nuanced, gentle tone to the comparison. It is less common in formal writing.
- A little smaller
- Cái lọ hoa kia cũng em em cái nàyThat flower-vase is a little smaller than this one