Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make the first purchase of the day (from someone): "mở hàng" refers to the act of being the first customer to buy something from a seller on a given day.
   • To make the first sale of the day (to someone): From the seller's perspective, "mở hàng" means to complete the first transaction of the day with a customer.
   • To give a monetary gift (especially to children during Tết): Traditionally, "mở hàng" can mean to give a gift of money, often as a New Year's (Tết) gift to children for good luck.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sáng nay tôi mở hàng cho bà bán rau bằng một ký cà chua. (This morning I was the first customer at the vegetable seller's by buying a kilo of tomatoes.)
  • Cửa hàng vừa mở hàng được một đơn lớn. (The shop just made its first sale with a large order.)
  • Ông nội mở hàng cho các cháu bằng những phong bao lì xì đỏ. (Grandfather gave New Year's gifts to his grandchildren with red lucky money envelopes.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bán mở hàng": To make the first sale of the day.
  • Bác ấy rất vui vì sớm bán mở hàng. (He was very happy because he made his first sale early.)
• "Mua mở hàng": To be the first customer to buy something of the day.
  • Tôi thích mua mở hàng vì thường được người bán vui vẻ. (I like being the first customer because the seller is usually cheerful.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lì xì (n): Lucky money; the red envelope containing money given during Tết. This is a common form of "mở hàng" as a gift.
  • Trẻ con rất thích được nhận lì xì. (Children love receiving lucky money.)
• Mừng tuổi (v): To give a gift (often money) to wish someone, especially children or the elderly, good health and age on the New Year.
  • Các cụ thường mừng tuổi cho con cháu. (The elders often give New Year's gifts to their grandchildren.)

Synonyms

• Khai trương (v): To inaugurate, to open a business (for the first time ever). This is different from "mở hàng," which is a daily first transaction.
  • Cửa hàng mới sẽ khai trương vào tuần tới. (The new store will open for business next week.)
• Bán đầu tiên: To sell first (a more literal phrase for the first sale).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Mở hàng lấy hên / lấy may: To make the first purchase/sale for good luck.
  • Người bán hàng thường giảm giá cho khách mở hàng lấy hên. (Sellers often give a discount to the first customer for good luck.)

Related Idioms

• Đầu xuôi đuôi lọt: A smooth beginning leads to a good ending. The concept of "mở hàng" is often associated with this belief for a prosperous business day.
  • Có khách mở hàng sớm, hy vọng cả ngày bán được nhiều, đúng là đầu xuôi đuôi lọt. (Having a customer make the first purchase early, I hope to sell a lot all day; it's true that a good start leads to a good finish.)

1. Make the first purchase in the day (of something) from someone
   • Bán mở hàng cho ai
     To make thi first sale in the day (of something) to somebody
2. Give as a new year's gift; handsel
   • Mở hàng cho chú bé một nghìn đồng
     To give a boy one thousand dong as a new year's gift;