gây men
Definition
Verb:
- To cause fermentation / to start fermentation: The primary meaning of "gây men" is to initiate the biochemical process of fermentation, where microorganisms like yeast convert sugars into alcohol, gases, or acids.
- To leaven: In baking, it means to cause dough to rise by producing gas bubbles.
Verb (figurative):
- To foment / to stir up / to incite: Used metaphorically to describe the act of causing or stimulating the development of a situation, emotion, or movement, often one that is growing or spreading.
Usage Examples
Verb (literal):
- Nhiệt độ thích hợp giúp gây men cho bột. (The right temperature helps to leaven the dough.)
- Họ dùng nấm men để gây men cho rượu. (They use yeast to cause fermentation for the wine.)
Verb (figurative):
- Bài báo đó đã gây men cho một làn sóng phản đối. (That article fomented a wave of protest.)
- Những ý tưởng mới đang gây men trong cộng đồng. (New ideas are stirring up the community.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in scientific, culinary, and social/political contexts to describe a catalytic action that leads to growth or change.
Variants and Related Words
Lên men (v): to ferment (describing the process itself, rather than the act of initiating it).
- Bia đang lên men trong thùng. (The beer is fermenting in the barrel.)
Chất gây men / Men (n): ferment, leavening agent, yeast.
- Men là một chất gây men phổ biến. (Yeast is a common leavening agent.)
Synonyms
- Ferment: to cause or undergo fermentation.
- Leaven: to cause dough to rise.
- Foment: to instigate or stir up (unrest, emotion).
- Incubate: to promote the growth or development of.
Related Idioms
- Gây men cách mạng: to foment revolution.
- Các bài diễn văn nhằm gây men cách mạng. (The speeches aimed to foment revolution.)