liếm môi
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To lick one's lips: A physical action of passing the tongue over one's own lips. This is the literal meaning.
- To lick one's lips (figuratively): To show keen anticipation, eagerness, or greed for something desirable, often food but also other things like a good opportunity. This is the idiomatic meaning, indicating a strong desire or craving.
Usage Examples
- Literal action:
- Cậu bé liếm môi vì miếng kem đang tan chảy. (The boy licked his lips because the ice cream was melting.)
- Cô ấy liếm môi cho đỡ khô. (She licked her lips to moisten them.)
- Figurative/Idiomatic use (showing desire):
- Nhìn mâm cỗ thịnh soạn, ai nấy đều liếm môi. (Looking at the sumptuous feast, everyone was licking their lips.)
- Các công ty đối thủ liếm môi trước hợp đồng béo bở đó. (The rival companies were licking their lips over that lucrative contract.)
Advanced Usage
- "Liếm môi hít hà": This phrase combines "licking lips" with "sniffing appreciatively," intensifying the expression of eager anticipation, usually for food.
- Ngửi thấy mùi thơm từ bếp, nó ngồi liếm môi hít hà. (Smelling the aroma from the kitchen, he sat there licking his lips and sniffing the air.)
Variants and Related Words
- Liếm mép: A synonym with the same literal and figurative meanings as "liếm môi." It is slightly more informal.
- Thấy bánh ngon, nó liếm mép. (Seeing the delicious cake, he licked his lips.)
Synonyms
- Thèm thuồng nhìn (verb phrase): To look at something with longing/craving.
- Thèm muốn (verb): To desire, to crave.
Related Idioms
- "Liếm môi tỏ ý thèm thuồng": This is almost a definitional idiom, meaning "to lick one's lips to show craving."
- Đứng xem người ta ăn mà nó cứ liếm môi tỏ ý thèm thuồng. (Standing there watching others eat, he kept licking his lips, showing his craving.)
- "Chảy nước miếng" (to drool): A stronger, more vivid expression of desire, often used in similar contexts.
- Món ăn đó trông khiến tôi muốn chảy nước miếng. (That dish looks so good it makes me drool.)