măm mún
Definition
- Adjective:
- In tiny pieces; in small fragments; in minuscule portions: Describes something that is broken, divided, or existing in very small and often irregular bits or amounts.
- Fragmented; piecemeal: Describes something that is not whole or unified, but rather separated into many small, disjointed parts.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Mảnh đất được chia măm mún cho các con. (The land was divided into tiny plots for the children.)
- Công ty bị bán măm mún cho nhiều chủ sở hữu. (The company was sold off in small pieces to many owners.)
- Anh ấy ăn bánh mì một cách măm mún. (He ate the bread in tiny, nibbled bits.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe abstract concepts like time, resources, or attention that are broken into inefficiently small units.
- Thời gian làm việc bị cắt măm mún bởi các cuộc họp. (Work time was fragmented into tiny pieces by meetings.)
Variants and Related Words
- Múm mím (adj): often describes a slight, closed-mouth smile, but can sometimes overlap in the sense of something very small or compressed.
- Vụn (adj/n): means crumb, fragment, or tiny piece. "Nhỏ vụn" or "vụn vặt" are close synonyms for "măm mún."
Synonyms
- Fragmentary: consisting of small, disconnected parts.
- Bitty: made up of small bits or pieces.
- Parceled: divided into portions.
- Piecemeal: characterized by unsystematic partial measures.
Related Idioms
- While "măm mún" itself is descriptive, it is often used in contexts that imply a negative consequence of being overly divided.
- Sở hữu măm mún: fragmented ownership.
- Canh tác măm mún: fragmented farming (on small, scattered plots).