Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pursing or tight pressing together of the lips: The act of firmly pressing one's lips together, typically due to anger, intense concentration, or to muster physical strength.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cô ấy chỉ im lặng với cái mắm môi giận dữ. (She just stayed silent with an angry pursing of her lips.)
  • Anh ấy mắm môi để nâng tạ nặng. (He pressed his lips together to lift the heavy weight.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "mắm môi" is often used to describe a specific, deliberate facial gesture that conveys a person's internal state, such as determination, irritation, or effort, without verbal expression.

Variants and Related Words

• Mím môi (v): to press one's lips together lightly. This is a more common and general synonym.
  • Cô bé mím môi khi suy nghĩ. (The little girl pressed her lips together while thinking.)

Synonyms

• Pursing of the lips: The action of tightening the lips into a rounded shape.
• Compressing the lips: Pressing the lips firmly together.

Related Idioms

• While "mắm môi" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, the gesture it describes is a universal nonverbal cue. A related Vietnamese expression describing a similar action of restraint is "cắn môi" (to bite one's lip), meaning to hold back from speaking or showing emotion.
  • Anh ấy cắn môi để không nói ra sự thật. (He bit his lip to keep from speaking the truth.)