Definition

1. Verb:
   • To lose consciousness gradually; to faint; to swoon: "lịm" describes the state of gradually losing awareness or consciousness, often due to illness, shock, or extreme emotion.
   • To fade away; to die down; to become faint: "lịm" can also describe a sound or sensation that gradually diminishes until it is barely perceptible.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người bệnh lịm đi vì cơn đau quá dữ dội. (The patient fainted because the pain was too severe.)
  • Sau cú va chạm, anh ta lịm người đi. (After the collision, he lost consciousness.)
  • Tiếng nhạc từ xa dần lịm đi trong đêm. (The distant music gradually faded away into the night.)
  • Cảm giác tê lịm ở đầu ngón tay. (The numb sensation subsided in the fingertips.)

Advanced Usage

• "lịm đi": to fade away; to lose consciousness. This is the most common collocation.
  • Cô ấy lịm đi khi nghe tin dữ. (She fainted upon hearing the bad news.)
• "lịm người": to lose consciousness; to be in a faint. Emphasizes the state of the whole person.
  • Đứng dưới nắng gắt, cậu bé lịm người. (Standing under the scorching sun, the boy passed out.)
• Used figuratively to describe something sweet or pleasant that is overwhelming or captivating.
  • Giọng hát lịm người. (A voice so sweet it captivates you / makes you swoon.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thiêm thiếp (verb): to be in a light sleep or doze; sometimes used to describe a state of semi-consciousness.
• Ngất (verb): to faint, to lose consciousness suddenly. This is a more direct synonym for the sudden loss of consciousness, whereas "lịm" often implies a more gradual process.
• Lịm tắt (verb phrase): to flicker and go out (like a flame); to die out completely. This extends the meaning of gradual fading to cessation.

Synonyms

• Bất tỉnh: unconscious, in a coma.
• Mê man: to be in a stupor, delirious.
• Tắt dần: to gradually go out/extinguish (for light, sound).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Lịm dần: to gradually fade/diminish.
  • Ánh nến lịm dần rồi tắt hẳn. (The candlelight gradually faded and then went out completely.)

Related Idioms

• Ngọt lịm: (idiomatic adjective) extremely sweet, delightfully sweet (often for taste, but can be used for sound or feeling). This idiom uses "lịm" to convey an overwhelming, captivating sweetness.
  • Món chè này ngọt lịm. (This sweet soup is delightfully sweet.)
  • Lời nói ngọt lịm. (Words that are honeyed / captivatingly sweet.)

verb

1. lose consciousness