Definition

1. Verb:
   • To pinch, to take a small amount (using fingertips): "gión" describes the action of lightly and deftly picking up a very small quantity of something, typically using the thumb and one or two fingers.
   • To form into a lump or clump: "gión" can also describe the state of a substance (like dough or powder) congealing or forming into small lumps when mixed with a liquid.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to pinch):

  • Gión mấy hạt lạc. (To pinch a few groundnuts.)
  • Gión một gión thuốc cho vào điếu cày. (To take a pinch of tobacco and put it in a bamboo hubble-bubble pipe.)
  • Cô ấy gión một ít muối rắc lên món ăn. (She pinched a little salt to sprinkle on the dish.)

• Verb (to form lumps):

  • Bột pha nước sôi gión lại. (The flour mixed with boiling water formed lumps.)
  • Hồ dán này bị gión, cần khuấy đều lại. (This paste has clumped up; it needs to be stirred well.)

Advanced Usage

• "gión" as a measure: In its nominal form, "một gión" can function as a vague measure word meaning "a pinch" or "a small amount picked up by fingers".
  • Cho vào một gión muối. (Add a pinch of salt.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhón (verb): A more common standard Vietnamese synonym meaning to pick up lightly with the fingertips. "Gión" is considered a dialectal or phonetic variant of "nhón".
• Vốc (verb): To scoop up with a hand (a larger quantity than "gión").
• Cục (noun): Lump, clump. Describes the result of the action when something "gión lại".

Synonyms

• Nhón: To pinch, to pick up delicately with fingertips.
• Bốc: To pick up (can be used for small amounts, but less specific than "gión").
• Vê: To roll into a small ball or pinch off (e.g., dough).

Related Phrases

• Gión tay: This phrase emphasizes the action done with a light, quick hand movement.
  • Cô làm bánh rất khéo, chỉ gión tay một cái là có ngay một viên bột. (She makes cakes very skillfully; with just a light pinch of her fingers, she immediately has a dough ball.)

Notes on Usage

• Register: "Gión" is often used in informal, colloquial speech and may be considered dialectal. In formal writing, "nhón" is preferred for the action of pinching.
• Object: Typically used with small, granular, or powdery substances like salt, pepper, rice, tobacco, or groundnuts.
• Resultative Meaning: The second meaning ("to form lumps") often appears with the complement "lại" (gión lại).

1. Pinch
   • Gión mấy hạt lạc
     To pinch a few ground-nuts
   • Gión một gión thuốc cho vào điếu cày
     To take a pinch of tobacco and put it in a bammboo hubble-bubble pipe