Definition

1. Noun:

   • A thin, flexible layer of tissue: In anatomy and biology, a "màng" is a delicate, often semi-permeable layer that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space within an organism, such as a cell membrane.
   • A thin film or layer: A very fine, often visible layer that forms on the surface of a liquid or a solid, like a skin on milk or a film of oil.
   • A web or thin covering: A delicate, net-like structure, such as a spider's web or a fine layer of mist.

2. Verb:

   • To care about, to be concerned with, or to aspire to: Used to indicate interest, desire, or concern for something. This usage is almost exclusively found in the negative form ("không màng"), meaning to disregard or take no interest in something.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Màng tế bào rất quan trọng cho sự sống. (The cell membrane is very important for life.)
  • Trên mặt cà phê nguội có một lớp màng mỏng. (A thin film formed on the surface of the cold coffee.)
  • Những màng sương sớm mai phủ trên cánh đồng. (Early morning veils of mist covered the field.)

• Verb:

  • Ông ấy không màng đến chuyện tiền bạc. (He takes no interest in matters of money.)
  • Cô ấy không màng danh vọng, chỉ muốn sống bình yên. (She does not aspire to fame; she only wants to live peacefully.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb form "màng" is highly literary and formal. In modern spoken Vietnamese, it is rarely used in the affirmative. The negative construction "không màng đến..." is the standard way to express "to pay no heed to" or "to disregard."
• In technical contexts (biology, medicine, engineering), the noun "màng" is a common term for various types of membranes and films.

Variants and Related Words

• Màng nhĩ (n): Eardrum, tympanic membrane.

  • Âm thanh truyền qua màng nhĩ. (Sound travels through the eardrum.)

• Màng hình (n): Screen (of a TV, monitor). A compound word for a display surface.

  • Màng hình máy tính bị trầy. (The computer screen is scratched.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Membrane, film, layer, web, veil.
• Verb (in negative): To disregard, to ignore, to take no interest in, to be indifferent to.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Không màng thế sự: To be detached from worldly affairs.

  • Sau khi về hưu, cụ sống một cuộc đời không màng thế sự. (After retiring, he lived a life detached from worldly affairs.)

• Mắt có màng: Literally "to have a film over one's eyes"; to be unable to see the truth, to be blinded (often by prejudice or ignorance).

  • Đừng để mắt có màng mà đánh giá người khác. (Don't be blinded when judging others.)

noun

1. (anat) membrane; web

verb

1. to interest in
   • không màng đến việc gì
     to take no interest in something