Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Stealthily, secretly, furtively: "giấm giúi" describes an action done in a hidden, sneaky, or clandestine manner, often out of fear of being seen or caught.
   • On the sly, under the table: It implies doing something covertly, avoiding the notice of others.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Nó giấm giúi bán mấy cuốn sách cũ. (He sold the old books on the sly.)
  • Đứa trẻ giấm giúi bỏ đồ chơi vào túi. (The child furtively put the toy in his bag.)
  • Họ buôn bán giấm giúi qua biên giới. (They trade covertly across the border.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm giấm giúi": to do something stealthily.
  • Cô ấy làm giấm giúi vì sợ bị mẹ mắng. (She did it stealthily because she was afraid her mother would scold her.)
• The word often carries a connotation of guilt, shame, or fear of discovery related to the action.

Variants and Related Words

• Lén lút (adv): stealthily, secretly. (A close synonym, but "giấm giúi" can imply more furtiveness or a quicker, more hidden action).
• Vụng trộm (adv): clandestinely, secretly (often with a stronger implication of an illicit affair or wrongdoing).
• Giấu giếm (v): to conceal, to hide. (A verb meaning to hide something, sharing the root idea of secrecy).

Synonyms

• Lén: stealthily.
• Trộm: secretly, like a thief.
• Kín đáo: discreetly, privately (less negative connotation).

Related Phrases

• Buôn bán giấm giúi: to trade/traffic goods stealthily (often illegally).
  • Cảnh sát bắt quả tang bọn buôn bán giấm giúi. (The police caught the group trafficking goods on the sly red-handed.)
• Giấm giúi đưa/trao: to slip/pass something stealthily (into someone's hands).
  • Anh ta giấm giúi đưa phong bì cho viên chức. (He surreptitiously passed the envelope to the official.)

1. Sly (something, into someone's hands)
2. Do (something) stealthily
   • Giấm giúi buôn lậu
     To deal stealthily in contraband goods