Definition

1. Verb:
   • To yield, to give way, to concede: To allow another person or thing to have an advantage, position, or right; to be less dominant in a comparison or conflict.
   • To be inferior, to be lesser than: To be of lower quality, value, or status when compared to something else.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trong cuộc tranh luận, anh ấy đã hẹm trước những lý lẽ của đối thủ. (In the debate, he yielded to his opponent's arguments.)
  • Chất lượng sản phẩm này không hẹm so với hàng nhập ngoại. (The quality of this product is not inferior to imported goods.)
  • Cô ấy không bao giờ hẹm bước trước khó khăn. (She never gives way in the face of difficulty.)

Advanced Usage

• "hẹm mình": To humble oneself, to lower one's position or pride.

  • Vì lợi ích chung, anh ta sẵn sàng hẹm mình. (For the common good, he is willing to humble himself.)

• "hẹm thế": To be at a disadvantage, to be in a weaker position.

  • Đội khách đang hẹm thế trước sức ép từ đội nhà. (The away team is at a disadvantage under the pressure from the home team.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhường (verb): To yield, to give way, to cede. (A more common and neutral synonym).
• Kém (verb/adjective): To be less than, to be inferior; poor, bad. (Focuses more on the state of being lesser).
• Chịu thua (verb phrase): To admit defeat, to give up.

Synonyms

• Chịu lép vế: To accept a subordinate or inferior position.
• Thua kém: To be lacking or deficient compared to something else.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Hẹm bước: To yield, to give ground (literally or figuratively).
  • Công ty đã hẹm bước trước yêu cầu của công đoàn. (The company yielded to the union's demands.)

Related Idioms

• "Biết mình biết ta, trăm trận không hẹm": (Knowing yourself and your enemy, you will not yield in a hundred battles). This idiom, adapted from Sun Tzu, means that with thorough understanding and preparation, one will not be at a disadvantage or be defeated.