Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To lie on one's back: The primary meaning of "nằm ngửa" is to be in a resting or reclining position where the back is against a surface and the chest and face are directed upward.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Bác sĩ khuyên nên nằm ngửa khi ngủ. (The doctor advises lying on your back when sleeping.)
  • Anh ấy nằm ngửa trên bãi cỏ và ngắm mây. (He lay on his back on the grass and watched the clouds.)
  • Để kiểm tra bụng, bệnh nhân được yêu cầu nằm ngửa. (To examine the abdomen, the patient is asked to lie on their back.)

Advanced Usage

• "nằm ngửa ra cười": An idiom meaning to laugh so hard one falls or is forced onto their back, implying uncontrollable laughter.
  • Câu chuyện của anh ấy khiến mọi người nằm ngửa ra cười. (His story made everyone laugh uncontrollably.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nằm sấp (verb phrase): to lie on one's stomach.

  • Đôi khi nằm sấp giúp giảm đau lưng. (Sometimes lying on your stomach helps reduce back pain.)

• Nằm nghiêng (verb phrase): to lie on one's side.

  • Cô ấy thường nằm nghiêng về bên trái. (She usually lies on her left side.)

Synonyms

• Supine: (adjective) Lying face upward. (More formal/medical term)
• Recline on one's back: A descriptive synonym.

Related Idioms

• Nằm ngửa chờ sung: To lie back and wait for success or good things to fall into one's lap; to be passive and expectant.
  • Anh ta không chịu làm việc, chỉ nằm ngửa chờ sung. (He refuses to work, just lying back and waiting for good fortune to fall.)