lúm
Definition
Noun:
- Dimple: A small, natural, permanent hollow or indentation in the flesh, typically on the cheek or chin, especially one that shows when a person smiles.
Adjective:
- Slightly hollow / indented: Describing a surface that has a gentle, small, and often attractive depression.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- Cô bé có một cái lúm đồng tiền rất duyên. (The little girl has a very charming dimple.)
- Khi cười, lúm trên má anh ấy xuất hiện. (When he smiles, the dimple on his cheek appears.)
Adjective:
- Má cô ấy hơi lúm. (Her cheeks are slightly dimpled.)
- Chiếc bát bị lúm ở một bên. (The bowl is slightly indented on one side.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "lúm" is most commonly and naturally used in the fixed phrase "lúm đồng tiền" (literally "coin dimple"), which is the standard term for a cheek dimple. Using "lúm" alone often implies this common phrase.
Variants and Related Words
- Lúm đồng tiền (n): Dimple (specifically on the cheek). This is the primary and most idiomatic compound.
- Nụ cười lúm đồng tiền của cô ấy rất đẹp. (Her dimpled smile is very beautiful.)
Synonyms
- Dimple: A small hollow in a cheek or chin.
- Hollow: A sunken area or depression.
- Indentation: A slight depression or dent in a surface.
Related Idioms
- Má lúm đồng tiền: This is the standard descriptive phrase, not strictly an idiom but a set noun phrase. It translates directly to "cheek with a coin dimple" and is the universal way to refer to dimples.
- Ai cũng khen má lúm đồng tiền của em bé. (Everyone praises the baby's dimples.)