mần
Definition
- Verb (dialectal, Central & Southern Vietnam):
- To do / to work / to make: The primary meaning of "mần" is a regional, colloquial equivalent of the standard Vietnamese verb "làm." It refers to performing an action, engaging in work, or creating something.
- To cause (a skin condition): Used to describe skin becoming affected with small spots, rashes, or red marks.
Usage Examples
Verb (to do/work):
- Anh mần chi đó? (What are you doing there?)
- Tui mần việc ở nhà máy. (I work at the factory.)
- Mần cái bàn này đi. (Make this table.)
Verb (skin condition):
- Rôm sảy mần cả cổ. (The heat rash has broken out all over the neck.)
Advanced Usage
- "mần ăn": to make a living, to do business.
- Gia đình họ mần ăn ở trên thành phố. (Their family makes a living in the city.)
Variants and Related Words
- Làm (v): the standard, formal verb for "to do," "to work," or "to make."
- Cô ấy làm bác sĩ. (She works as a doctor.)
Synonyms
- Do: to perform an action.
- Work: to engage in labor.
- Make: to create or construct.
- Cause (for skin): to produce a rash or spots.
Related Idioms
- Mần như trâu: to work like an ox; to work very hard.
- Ngày nào nó cũng mần như trâu. (He works like an ox every day.)