Definition

Verb: - To tighten (one's lips): To press one's lips together firmly, closing them tightly. This often indicates concentration, determination, suppression of emotion, or refusal to speak. - To close/seal (of a wound): For a wound to close up, for the edges to knit together.

Usage

The verb mím is used to describe the specific action of pressing the lips together tightly. It is almost exclusively used with words for lips (môi) or mouth (miệng). It conveys a controlled, deliberate action.

Usage Examples

• Mím môi: Cô ấy mím môi lại để cố nhịn cười. (She tightened her lips to try not to laugh.) Nghe tin đó, anh ta chỉ im lặng và mím chặt môi. (Hearing that news, he just stayed silent and tightened his lips.)

• Mím miệng: Vết mổ đã lành và mím miệng lại. (The surgical incision has healed and closed up.)

Advanced Usage

• Mím mím / Múm mím: These are reduplicated forms that indicate a slight, subtle, or repeated action of tightening the lips. It often describes a suppressed smile or a slight, controlled movement of the lips. (The little girl pursed her lips slightly, showing disagreement.) (Being praised, the old lady allowed a slight, tight-lipped smile.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cắn môi (verb phrase): To bite one's lip. This is a different, often more intense action than mím môi, typically indicating strong emotion, anxiety, or an effort to stop oneself from speaking or crying.
• Ngậm chặt (verb): To hold tightly in the mouth; to keep one's mouth firmly closed. This has a broader meaning than mím, which is specifically about the lips/mouth edges.

Synonyms

• Bặm (verb): To clench (teeth, lips). Bặm môi is very similar to mím môi but can imply even greater force or determination.
• Cắn chặt (verb phrase): To clench/bite tightly. Used for teeth (cắn chặt răng) rather than lips.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Mím môi ăn tiền / Mím môi giữ của: (Idiom) Literally "to tighten one's lips to keep money/possessions." It means to stay absolutely silent to keep a secret or to avoid saying something that could cause loss. (In this case, the suspect remained tight-lipped, not uttering a single word.)

verb

1. to tighten
   • môi nó mím chặt lại
     his lips tightened