Definition

1. Verb:

   • To mold; to shape; to form: To use one's hands to press, bend, or manipulate a soft or pliable material (like clay, dough) into a desired shape.
   • To straighten; to bend into shape; to adjust: To apply pressure or force to correct the shape or alignment of something, such as a bent object or a body part.
   • To palpate; to feel: To press or touch gently with the fingers, especially as part of a medical examination to assess condition or diagnose.

2. Verb (extended usage):

   • To set (a bone): To manipulate broken bone fragments back into their correct anatomical position.
   • To correct; to polish (language/writing): To carefully adjust and improve the form or style of something, such as a piece of writing or someone's posture.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy nắn đất sét thành một cái bình. (She molded the clay into a vase.)
  • Anh thợ nắn cho chiếc nan hoa xe đạp thẳng lại. (The repairman straightened the bent bicycle spoke.)
  • Bác sĩ nắn bụng bệnh nhân để kiểm tra. (The doctor palpated the patient's abdomen for examination.)
  • Bác sĩ phải nắn xương gãy cho bệnh nhân. (The doctor had to set the patient's broken bone.)
  • Giáo viên nắn từng câu văn cho học sinh. (The teacher polished each sentence for the student.)

Advanced Usage

• "nắn chỉnh": to adjust and correct; to fine-tune.
  • Kỹ thuật viên nắn chỉnh lại góc camera. (The technician adjusted the camera angle.)
• "nắn nót": to do something carefully and meticulously, often regarding handwriting or speech.
  • Em bé nắn nót viết từng chữ cái. (The child carefully formed each letter.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nắn bóp (v): to massage; to knead (muscles).
  • Huấn luyện viên nắn bóp cơ cho vận động viên. (The coach massaged the athlete's muscles.)
• Uốn nắn (v): to mold; to shape (often figuratively, e.g., character, behavior).
  • Cha mẹ có trách nhiệm uốn nắn tính cách cho con cái. (Parents have a responsibility to shape their children's character.)

Synonyms

• Mold / Shape: to form into a specific shape.
• Straighten: to make straight.
• Manipulate: to handle or control with skill.
• Palpate: to examine by touch.
• Set (a bone): to place broken bones in correct position for healing.

Related Idioms

• Nắn gân, nắn cốt: Literally "to mold tendons and bones," meaning to subject someone to strict discipline or training to build character or skill.
  • Người thầy nghiêm khắc ấy đã nắn gân nắn cốt để đào tạo ra những vận động viên xuất sắc. (That strict teacher molded and disciplined to train excellent athletes.)

verb

1. to mould; to model; to set
   • nắn xương gãy
     to set a broken bone