Definition

1. Verb:
   • To carry on one's shoulders or back: "khiêng vác" refers to the action of transporting an object, typically a heavy or bulky one, by bearing its weight on one's shoulders or back. It implies physical labor and effort.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Các công nhân đang khiêng vác những thùng hàng nặng vào kho. (The workers are carrying heavy boxes into the warehouse on their shoulders.)
  • Trước đây, người dân thường khiêng vác nước từ giếng về nhà. (In the past, people often carried water from the well to their homes on their backs.)

Advanced Usage

• "khiêng vác công việc": to shoulder responsibilities or tasks (figurative use).
  • Anh ấy là trụ cột, luôn khiêng vác mọi công việc trong gia đình. (He is the pillar, always shouldering all the work in the family.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khiêng (verb): to carry (usually by two or more people holding an object at its ends). It often implies carrying with hands, not necessarily on the shoulder/back.
  • Họ khiêng chiếc bàn ra ngoài. (They carried the table outside.)
• Vác (verb): to carry on one's shoulder(s). It is a close synonym and often used interchangeably or combined with "khiêng".
  • Anh ấy vác một bao gạo trên vai. (He is carrying a sack of rice on his shoulder.)

Synonyms

• Mang vác (verb): to carry (a general term for carrying, often on the body).
• Gánh vác (verb): to shoulder, to bear (often used for responsibilities or burdens, both literal and figurative).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Khiêng vác nặng nhọc: to carry heavy loads, to do hard labor.
  • Công việc khiêng vác nặng nhọc đòi hỏi sức khỏe tốt. (The job of carrying heavy loads requires good health.)

Related Idioms

• Đầu đội trời, chân đạp đất, vai khiêng vác sơn hà: (A literary idiom) Describing a heroic figure who carries the weight of the nation on their shoulders. It symbolizes great strength and responsibility.
  • Người anh hùng trong truyền thuyết được miêu tả với hình ảnh "đầu đội trời, chân đạp đất, vai khiêng vác sơn hà". (The hero in the legend is described with the image of "his head holding up the sky, his feet treading the earth, his shoulders carrying the mountains and rivers.")

1. Carry on one's shoulders (on one's back)