Definition

Adjective: - To be absorbed in; to devote oneself to: Describes a state of being deeply engrossed, focused, and dedicated to an activity, often to the point of forgetting one's surroundings or time.

Usage

• This word is used to describe a person's intense concentration and dedication to a task, study, or work. It implies perseverance and a single-minded focus.
• It is typically placed before a verb to modify the action, describing the action is performed.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy mài miệt làm việc suốt đêm. (He devoted himself to / was absorbed in his work all night.)
  • Cô ấy mài miệt đọc sách, không để ý đến mọi thứ xung quanh. (She was absorbed in reading her book, paying no attention to her surroundings.)
  • Học sinh mài miệt ôn tập cho kỳ thi quan trọng. (The students were engrossed in studying for the important exam.)

Advanced Usage

• "Mài miệt" often carries a slightly more intense or prolonged connotation than its synonym "miệt mài." It can sometimes imply a sense of being tirelessly, even relentlessly, dedicated to an activity.

Variants and Related Words

• Miệt mài (adj): This is a more common variant with a very similar meaning: to be diligent, to persevere, to work tirelessly.
  • Anh ấy miệt mài nghiên cứu. (He diligently conducted his research.)
• Mải miết (adj): Another similar word meaning to be engrossed or absorbed in something, often with a nuance of being so involved that one forgets other duties.
  • Nó chơi game mải miết cả ngày. (He played games engrossedly all day.)

Synonyms

• Chăm chú: To pay close attention, to be attentive.
• Tập trung cao độ: To be highly concentrated.
• Đam mê: To be passionate about (often implies a deeper emotional investment).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Mài miệt với công việc: To be utterly absorbed in one's work.
  • Ông ấy mài miệt với công việc đến quên cả ăn. (He was so absorbed in his work that he forgot to eat.)

adj

1. to be absorbed in; to devote oneself tọ