Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Horizontal: Describes something positioned parallel to the horizon or a level surface, not tilted or vertical. It indicates a flat, level orientation.
   • Lying flat: Refers to the state of an object or person resting in a flat, level position.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đường kẻ nằm ngang trên trang giấy. (The horizontal line on the page.)
  • Chiếc thuyền nằm ngang trên bãi biển. (The boat is lying horizontally on the beach.)
  • Hãy đặt tấm ván nằm ngang. (Please place the plank horizontally.)

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Mathematical Context: Used to describe axes, planes, or lines in geometry, engineering, or design.
  • Trục nằm ngang của biểu đồ. (The horizontal axis of the chart.)
• Figurative Use: Can describe a state of inactivity or lack of progress.
  • Dự án đang nằm ngang, không có tiến triển. (The project is at a standstill, making no progress.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngang (adj): Horizontal, sideways. Often used interchangeably or in compound forms.
  • Đường ngang (horizontal road/line)
• Nằm (v): To lie, to recline. The verb component indicating the position.
• Thẳng đứng (adj): Vertical. The direct antonym.

Synonyms

• Song song với mặt nước/mặt đất: Parallel to the water/ground surface.
• Bằng phẳng: Flat, level (emphasizing the flat surface rather than the orientation).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: As a descriptive adjective phrase, 'nằm ngang' itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its usage is primarily adjectival.) - Nằm xuống: To lie down. (Focuses on the action of reclining, not the horizontal orientation itself).

Related Idioms

• Nằm ngang lòng sông: (Lit. to lie horizontally across the riverbed) An idiom sometimes used to describe an obstacle or something blocking the way.
• Cơ hội nằm ngang: (Lit. opportunity lies horizontal) A colloquial expression suggesting an opportunity is readily available or easy to take.

1. Horizontal