Definition

1. Verb:
   • To drive to one side, to drive sideways, to shove aside: The primary meaning of "ne" is to make a group of animals (like poultry or livestock) move sideways or in a specific lateral direction, often towards a destination like a pond or pen. It implies a gentle, guiding force rather than a harsh chase.
   • To herd, to drive (in a specific lateral manner): It is a specific type of herding action focused on moving animals laterally.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bác nông dân ne đàn vịt sang bên trái. (The farmer drove the flock of ducks to the left side.)
  • Cần ne lợn vào chuồng cho khéo. (You need to herd the pigs into the pen skillfully [by driving them sideways].)
  • Người chăn ngỗng ne cả đàn xuống mép ao. (The goose herder drove the whole gaggle sideways down to the pond's edge.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is considered dialectal or somewhat rare/archaic in modern standard Vietnamese. It is most commonly found in rural or agricultural contexts and may not be widely used in everyday urban conversation.
• It often appears in fixed phrases related to traditional animal husbandry.

Variants and Related Words

• Đuổi: To chase, to drive away. (This is more common and general than "ne", which specifies a sideways motion.)
• Xua: To shoo, to drive (away). Similar to "đuổi" but can also imply a scattering motion.
• Hướng: To guide, to direct. (Less forceful, more about indicating direction.)

Synonyms

• Đẩy sang bên: To push to the side.
• Dồn: To herd, to corral. (Can be more forceful or general than "ne".)

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ne... xuống...: To drive (animals) sideways down into (a place). This is the classic construction.
  • Ne gà xuống lối đi nhỏ. (To drive the chickens down the narrow path [sideways].)
• Ne... vào...: To drive (animals) sideways into (an enclosure).
  • Ne bò vào khu vực có cỏ. (To drive the cows into the grassy area [sideways].)

Related Idioms

• While there are no widely known idioms centered solely on "ne", the action is embedded in traditional rural life. A descriptive saying might be: "Ne không khéo, đàn tán loạn" (If you don't drive/herd them skillfully, the flock will scatter), emphasizing the need for gentle, controlled guidance.

1. (địa phương) Drive to one side, drive sidewards
   • Ne đàn ngỗng xuống ao
     To drive the gaggle of geese sidewards into a pond