mom

/mə'mɑ:/

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The Vietnamese word "mom" has a couple of meanings and uses, which can be quite interesting for learners.

Basic Meaning:

1. River Bank (Đi men mom sông): In this context, "mom" refers to the edge or bank of a river. When you say “đi men mom sông,” it means “to come home by skirting the river bank.” This usage is more poetic and not commonly used in everyday conversation.

   • "Tôi thích đi men mom sông vào buổi tối."
   • (I like to walk along the river bank in the evening.)

Advanced Usage:

1. Ulterior Motive (Đoán trúng mom): Here, "mom" is used to describe the underlying intention behind someone's actions. When you say “đoán trúng mom,” it means “to make a right guess at someone's ulterior motive.” This usage is more abstract and is often used in discussions about people's intentions or behaviors.

   • "Cô ấy luôn có một mom khi giúp đỡ người khác."
   • (She always has an ulterior motive when helping others.)

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "mom" as a standalone word, but it can be part of phrases or idiomatic expressions.

Different Meanings:

• Geographical: Refers specifically to the bank of a river.
• Psychological/Social: Refers to the hidden intentions behind actions.

Synonyms:

• For the river bank meaning, you can use "bờ sông," which also means the riverbank.
• For the ulterior motive meaning, synonyms could include "mục đích ẩn" (hidden purpose) or "ý đồ" (intention).

Usage Tips:

• Use "mom" when discussing geographical features, especially in a poetic or descriptive context.
• When talking about motives or intentions, be aware of the context to ensure clarity.

Academic

1. River bank
   • Đi men mom sông về nhà
     To come home by skirting the river bank.
2. (ít dùng) Ulterior motive
   • Đoán trúng mom
     To make a right guess at someone's ulterior motive