Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To set pen to paper; to begin writing: The act of starting to write something, often implying the initial, decisive moment of committing words to a page. It carries a formal or literary connotation.
   • To put one's signature (or final stroke) to a document: To sign or finalize a written document, especially one of importance.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Nhà văn đã hạ bút viết những dòng đầu tiên của cuốn tiểu thuyết mới. (The writer set pen to paper to write the first lines of his new novel.)
  • Sau nhiều ngày đắn đo, cuối cùng ông ấy cũng hạ bút ký vào hợp đồng. (After many days of hesitation, he finally put his signature to the contract.)
  • Tức cảnh hạ bút viết một bài thơ. (Inspired by the scenery, he set pen to paper and wrote a poem.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a sense of deliberation, finality, or significant action. It is not used for casual, everyday writing like making a shopping list.

Variants and Related Words

• Xuất bút (v): A related, more literary term meaning to begin writing or to produce a written work.
  • Nhà thơ xuất bút trong cơn say nghệ thuật. (The poet began writing in a state of artistic intoxication.)

Synonyms

• To begin writing
• To commence writing
• To sign (in the context of finalizing a document)

Related Idioms

• While "hạ bút" itself is idiomatic, it is a component of the classical four-character idiom "khai cơ hạ bút" (to start the foundation and set pen to paper), meaning to begin a significant undertaking, especially in writing or construction.

1. Set pen to paper
   • Tức cảnh hạ bút viết một bài thơ
     To set pen to paper, transported with inspiration by the beauty of the scenery