Definition

1. Noun:

   • A handful: A small quantity that can be held in one hand, often used for grains, hair, or similar small items.

2. Verb:

   • To inlay, to set: To decorate an object by embedding or setting pieces of metal, precious stones, or other materials into its surface.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Bà lão bốc một nạm gạo cho con chim. (The old woman took a handful of rice for the bird.)
  • Cô ấy chỉ còn giữ lại một nạm tóc của đứa con. (She kept only a lock [a small handful] of her child's hair.)

• Verb:

  • Người thợ kim hoàn nạm viên ruby vào chiếc nhẫn. (The jeweler set the ruby into the ring.)
  • Thanh kiếm được nạm vàng trên chuôi. (The sword was inlaid with gold on the hilt.)

Advanced Usage

• "nạm vàng/bạc": inlaid with gold/silver.

  • Chiếc hộp gỗ nạm bạc rất tinh xảo. (The wooden box inlaid with silver is very exquisite.)

• Used to describe a very small, almost insufficient amount (noun).

  • Chỉ còn một nạm lương thực cuối cùng. (There's only a last handful of provisions left.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nắm (noun, verb): A more common and general word for "a handful" or "to grasp/hold". as a noun is considered more dialectal or literary.
• Khảm (verb): To inlay, often used interchangeably with in the context of decorative work, but can specifically refer to inlaying with mother-of-pearl (khảm xà cừ).

Synonyms

• Noun: Một nhúm (a pinch), một vốc (a handful/grasp).
• Verb: Cẩn (to inlay), dát (to plate/overlay).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Một nạm người: A very small number of people; a tiny group.
  • Chỉ một nạm người ở lại đến cuối buổi họp. (Only a handful of people stayed until the end of the meeting.)

1. handful
   • một nạm gạo
     a handful of rice

verb

1. to inlay