Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hang one's head (down): To lower one's head deeply, typically due to feelings of shame, embarrassment, or anger, avoiding eye contact.
   • To wear a sullen look: To have a facial expression showing resentment, gloom, or silent anger.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Thẹn quá, cô ấy chỉ biết gằm mặt xuống đất. (She was so ashamed that she could only hang her head down to the ground.)
  • Anh ấy gằm mặt vì giận, không nói năng gì cả. (He wore a sullen look in anger and didn't say a word.)
  • Đứa trẻ gằm đầu, không dám nhìn ai sau khi bị mắng. (The child hung his head, not daring to look at anyone after being scolded.)

Advanced Usage

• "gằm gằm" (reduplicative form, intensifying the meaning): To have one's head persistently hung low or to have a deeply sullen expression.
  • Cậu bé ngồi gằm gằm một góc suốt buổi chiều. (The boy sat with his head hung low in a corner all afternoon.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cúi gằm: A compound phrase meaning to bow or lower one's head deeply (often used with 'gằm' for emphasis).
  • Nó cúi gằm mặt khi bị phát hiện nói dối. (He bowed his head deeply when caught lying.)

Synonyms

• Cúi đầu: To bow one's head (can be due to respect, greeting, or shame).
• Gục đầu: To let one's head drop (often from exhaustion, sadness, or defeat).

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "gằm" is specific and descriptive. It is not used for simply looking down (which would be "nhìn xuống"). It strongly implies an emotional state—either shame/embarrassment or suppressed anger—that causes one to lower their head or adopt a gloomy expression. It often describes a physical posture reflecting inner turmoil.

1. hang the head (out of shame); wear sullen looks
   • thẹn quá cuối gằm xuống
     to hang the head out of utter shame
   • gằm mặt vì giận
     to wear sullen looks in a fit of anger
   • gằm gằm (láy ý tăng)