Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To take a bearing / to determine orientation: The primary meaning of "lấy hướng" is to establish or identify the direction, orientation, or alignment of something relative to a point of reference, such as a compass direction or a landmark.
   • To choose the orientation: In planning or construction, it refers to the act of selecting or deciding upon the specific directional placement or alignment of an object, such as a building.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trước khi vào rừng, họ dùng la bàn để lấy hướng. (Before entering the forest, they used a compass to take a bearing.)
  • Kiến trúc sư đang lấy hướng cho ngôi nhà mới. (The architect is determining the orientation for the new house.)
  • Lấy hướng nhà về phía Nam để đón gió mát. (To orient the house towards the South to catch the cool breeze.)

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Professional Context: In fields like surveying, navigation, or architecture, "lấy hướng" is a precise technical action involving tools (compass, theodolite) to establish a directional line.
  • Công việc đầu tiên của trắc địa là lấy hướng chuẩn. (The first task in surveying is to establish a base direction.)

Variants and Related Words

• Định hướng (v): to orient, to set a direction (often for plans or development).

  • Công ty cần định hướng chiến lược mới. (The company needs to orient itself toward a new strategy.)

• Phương hướng (n): direction, orientation.

  • Anh ta hoàn toàn mất phương hướng trong thành phố lạ. (He was completely disoriented in the unfamiliar city.)

Synonyms

• To orient: to align or position relative to points of the compass.
• To take a bearing: to determine direction using a compass.
• To set the direction: to establish a course or alignment.

Related Idioms

• Lấy hướng gió: Literally "to take the wind's direction," meaning to gauge the situation or popular opinion before acting.
  • Ông ấy khôn ngoan, luôn biết lấy hướng gió trước khi phát biểu. (He is wise, always knowing how to gauge the wind before speaking.)