Definition

1. Verb:
   • To jerk up one's chin (as a sign): To make a quick, upward movement of the chin, typically used as a gesture to call someone over, point something out, or issue a command in a brusque, often impolite or commanding manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta chỉ hất hàm ra hiệu cho tôi đi theo. (He just jerked his chin to signal for me to follow.)
  • Đừng hất hàm với người lớn như thế, thật mất lịch sự. (Don't jerk your chin at elders like that; it's very impolite.)
  • Cô ấy hất hàm về phía cái ghế trống, ý bảo tôi ngồi xuống. (She jerked her chin toward the empty chair, meaning for me to sit down.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe a curt, non-verbal command: The gesture is often associated with a lack of words, conveying an order or direction through body language alone, implying authority or rudeness.
  • Ông chủ hất hàm bảo nhân viên vào phòng. (The boss jerked his chin, telling the employee to enter the room.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hất (verb): To flick, to toss, or to jerk something (often with force). "Hất hàm" is a specific compound using this verb.
• Gật đầu (verb): To nod (the head). This is a different, usually polite, gesture of agreement.
• Lắc đầu (verb): To shake (the head). This is a gesture of refusal or disagreement.

Synonyms

• Ra hiệu bằng cằm (verb phrase): To signal with one's chin. (A more descriptive, neutral synonym).
• Chỉ cằm (verb phrase): To point with one's chin. (A common colloquial synonym).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a specific verb gesture, "hất hàm" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The action itself is the complete phrase.

Related Idioms

• Ăn nói hất hàm: To speak in a haughty, arrogant, and dismissive manner. (This idiom extends the rude, jerking gesture to describe someone's speech style).
  • Anh ta quen thói ăn nói hất hàm với mọi người. (He is accustomed to speaking to everyone in a haughty, dismissive tone.)

1. Jerk up one's chin (as a sign)