ham muốn

Definition

Verb:
- To desire strongly; to crave; to want intensely: "ham muốn" expresses a strong, often passionate, longing or wish for something. It implies a deeper, more visceral urge than simple wanting ("muốn").
- To covet: In a negative or moral context, "ham muốn" can mean to desire something (often belonging to someone else) with envy or inappropriately strong feeling.

Usage Examples

Verb:
- Anh ấy ham muốn quyền lực và giàu có. (He desires/craves power and wealth.)
- Cô ấy ham muốn được tự do khám phá thế giới. (She strongly desires to be free to explore the world.)
- Đừng ham muốn của cải của người khác. (Do not covet the possessions of others.)

Advanced Usage

"Ham muốn" as a noun: While primarily a verb, "ham muốn" can function as a noun meaning "desire" or "craving," especially in formal or psychological contexts.
- Anh ta không thể kiểm soát ham muốn của bản thân. (He cannot control his desires.)
Intensifiers: Often used with adverbs like "mãnh liệt" (fiercely, intensely) or "vô độ" (boundlessly) to emphasize strength.
- ham muốn mãnh liệt (an intense desire/craving)

Variants and Related Words

Ham (verb): To be fond of, to like excessively (e.g., - to be fond of playing/to be a playboy; - to be studious/to love learning). "Ham" is the root, with "muốn" adding the specific sense of "wanting."
Tham muốn (verb): A synonym, often carrying a stronger negative connotation of greed or covetousness.
Khát khao (verb): To yearn, to thirst for. Similar in strength but can sound more poetic or noble.
Ước muốn (noun/verb): A wish, a desire. Generally softer and less urgent than "ham muốn."

Synonyms

Related Phrases / Idioms

Ham muốn xác thịt: Carnal desire, lust.
- Anh ta bị chi phối bởi ham muốn xác thịt. (He is driven by carnal desire.)
Dục vọng (noun): Passion, lust, strong (often base) desire. More formal and carries a negative moral weight similar to "tham muốn."

verb