Definition

1. Verb:
   • To spread open or extend something to its full width or height: This refers to the action of opening, stretching, or unfurling an object so that it covers a larger area or is held aloft. It often implies a deliberate, forceful, or maximal action.
   • To open (eyes) wide: Used specifically for opening one's eyes very widely, often in an expression of strong emotion such as surprise, anger, or intense focus.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người lính giương cao lá cờ. (The soldier held the flag high aloft.)
  • Cô ấy giương ô để che nắng. (She opened her umbrella to block the sun.)
  • Anh ta giương mắt nhìn kẻ lạ mặt. (He opened his eyes wide to look at the stranger.)

Advanced Usage

• "giương buồm": to set sail, to unfurl the sails.

  • Thuyền giương buồm ra khơi. (The boat set sail for the open sea.)

• "giương cung": to draw a bow (to its full extent).

  • Cung thủ giương cung bắn mũi tên. (The archer drew the bow and shot the arrow.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trương (v): A near-synonym often used interchangeably with "giương," meaning to spread, stretch, or expand. It can be used for sails, flags, or eyes.
  • Trương buồm (to set sail).

Synonyms

• Unfurl: To spread out something that is rolled or folded.
• Hoist: To raise something, especially a flag or sail.
• Open wide: To open something, like eyes, to their fullest extent.

Related Idioms

• Giương mắt ếch: Literally "to open one's eyes like a frog"; to stare blankly or with a foolish, wide-eyed look.

  • Nó chỉ biết giương mắt ếch ra nhìn. (He could only stare blankly.)

• Giương đông kích tây: A military-derived idiom meaning "to raise a clamor in the east but attack in the west"; to create a diversion or feint.

  • Đó chỉ là chiến thuật giương đông kích tây. (That's just a tactic of feinting in the east and striking in the west.)

verb

1. to spread