Definition

1. Verb:
   • To stop; to pause temporarily: "gượm" means to cease an action or movement for a short period.
   • To wait a moment; to hold on: It is used to ask someone to pause or wait briefly.
   • (In board games, especially chess) To retract a move: To take back a move that has just been made, typically because it was a mistake or oversight.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hãy gượm, đừng đi vội. (Please wait a moment, don't go in a hurry.)
  • Anh ấy bảo tôi gượm lại để nghe cho rõ. (He told me to stop for a moment to listen clearly.)
  • Trong cờ tướng, đôi khi người ta cho phép gượm một nước. (In Chinese chess, sometimes people are allowed to retract a move.)

Advanced Usage

• "gượm đã" / "gượm đã nào": An interjection meaning "Hold on!" or "Wait a second!".

  • Gượm đã, để tôi giải thích đã. (Hold on, let me explain first.)

• "đánh cờ không được gượm": A phrase meaning "In chess, you cannot take back a move." It emphasizes playing by the rules.

  • Luật chơi là đánh cờ không được gượm. (The rule is that you cannot retract a move in chess.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gượng (verb): To force oneself; to do something with effort or discomfort. (Note: This is a different word with a distinct meaning, but it is phonetically similar and sometimes confused with "gượm".)
  • Anh ấy gượng cười. (He forced a smile.)

Synonyms

• Dừng lại: to stop.
• Chờ một chút: to wait a moment.
• Hoãn lại: to postpone, to delay (for a short time).

Related Phrases

• Gượm tay: Literally "to stop one's hand"; to pause or refrain from an action.
  • Gượm tay, đừng vội đánh. (Hold your hand, don't be quick to hit.)

Notes on Usage

• "Gượm" is considered a colloquial word and is commonly used in spoken Vietnamese.
• Its usage in the context of board games (like chess) is specific and well-understood.
• The word often carries a gentle, urging tone rather than a harsh command.

verb

1. to stop; to wait a while