Definition

1. Verb:
   • To begin teaching the alphabet; to initiate literacy: The core meaning refers to the act of starting to teach someone, typically a child, the fundamentals of reading and writing, especially the alphabet.
   • (Figurative) To initiate; to introduce to the fundamentals of a subject or principle: Used metaphorically to describe introducing someone to the basic knowledge or principles of any field, discipline, or ideology.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông ấy đang khai tâm cho các cháu nhỏ trong làng. (He is initiating literacy for the young children in the village.)
  • Cuốn sách này có mục đích khai tâm về triết học cho độc giả trẻ. (This book aims to initiate young readers into philosophy.)
  • Người thầy đã khai tâm cho tôi về nghệ thuật thư pháp. (The teacher initiated me into the art of calligraphy.)

Advanced Usage

• "sự khai tâm" (noun): The act or process of initiation; the state of being initiated into basic knowledge.
  • Sự khai tâm là bước đầu tiên quan trọng trên con đường học vấn. (Literacy initiation is the first important step on the path of learning.)
• Used in formal, educational, or literary contexts, often carrying a respectful or profound connotation regarding the beginning of intellectual or spiritual enlightenment.

Variants and Related Words

• Khai giảng (v): To open a new school year; to inaugurate (a course). Focuses on the formal start of an institution or course, not the personal act of teaching basics.
• Khai sáng (v): To enlighten. Implies a higher level of intellectual or spiritual illumination, often on a broader scale.
• Vỡ lòng (v): To teach the rudiments/ABCs. A more colloquial synonym for the literal meaning of teaching basic literacy.

Synonyms

• Dạy chữ: To teach letters/literacy.
• Mở đầu: To begin, to commence (more general).
• Nhập môn: To introduce to a subject (often used for skills or disciplines).

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Khai tâm mở trí: A set phrase meaning "to initiate literacy and open the mind," emphasizing the enlightening aspect of early education.
  • Công lao khai tâm mở trí của người thầy đầu tiên thật to lớn. (The merit of initiating literacy and opening the mind by the first teacher is truly great.)

1. Begin teaching the alphabet
2. (nghĩa bóng) Initiate