Definition

1. Verb:
   • To open one's lips: To make a slight, often initial, movement to part one's lips, typically before speaking, smiling, or making another expression. It implies a minimal or hesitant opening.

Usage

• This verb describes the initial, subtle action of parting the lips. It is often used to depict a moment just before speech, a faint smile, or a quiet reaction.
• It conveys a sense of restraint, hesitation, or the beginning of an expression.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy chỉ hé môi mỉm cười mà không nói gì. (She merely parted her lips in a smile without saying anything.)
  • Anh ấy định nói nhưng rồi chỉ hé môi rồi lại thôi. (He intended to speak but only opened his lips slightly before stopping.)
  • Đứa bé hé môi khóc. (The baby parted its lips to cry.)

Advanced Usage

• "hé môi cười": to part one's lips in a smile.
  • Nghe tin vui, cô ấy hé môi cười. (Hearing the good news, she parted her lips in a smile.)
• "hé môi nói": to open one's lips to speak.
  • Sau một hồi im lặng, ông ấy mới hé môi nói. (After a period of silence, he finally opened his lips to speak.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hé (verb): to open slightly (e.g., a door, window, one's eyes). "Hé môi" is a specific application.
• Mở môi (verb): to open one's lips (can be more direct or less nuanced than "hé môi").
• Chúm môi (verb): to purse one's lips. (This is a different, often contrasting, lip movement.)

Synonyms

• Mở môi: to open one's lips.
• Nhếch môi: to curl one's lip (often in disdain or the start of a smirk).

Notes

• "Hé môi" is more poetic and descriptive than the straightforward "mở môi". It emphasizes the slightness and often the tentative nature of the movement.
• It is not typically used in formal or technical contexts but is common in descriptive writing and everyday speech to depict subtle expressions.

verb

1. to open one's lips