Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To hide oneself; to conceal oneself; to take refuge: The phrase "náu mình" means to intentionally place oneself in a concealed or sheltered location to avoid being seen, found, or to escape danger. It implies a deliberate act of seeking safety or secrecy.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Con thỏ náu mình trong bụi cây. (The rabbit hides itself in the bushes.)
  • Trong thời chiến, nhiều người phải náu mình trong hầm trú ẩn. (During the war, many people had to take refuge in bunkers.)
  • Kẻ tình nghi đang náu mình ở một nơi nào đó. (The suspect is concealing himself somewhere.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a connotation of lying low for a period of time, waiting for a threat to pass or for a situation to improve. It is not typically used for very short-term hiding (like in a game of hide-and-seek).

Variants and Related Words

• Náu (v): to hide, to take shelter. This is the core verb, with "náu mình" being a more specific and common reflexive form.
  • Chim náu trong tổ. (The bird hides in its nest.)
• Ẩn náu (v): to go into hiding; to take refuge. This is a near-synonymous compound verb.
  • Họ ẩn náu trong rừng sâu. (They took refuge in the deep forest.)

Synonyms

• To hide: to put or keep out of sight.
• To take cover: to seek shelter from danger.
• To lie low: to keep oneself hidden to avoid attention.

Related Idioms

• Náu mình chờ thời: to lie low and wait for one's opportunity; to bide one's time.
  • Sau thất bại, ông ấy quyết định náu mình chờ thời. (After the failure, he decided to lie low and wait for his opportunity.)