ngả mũ
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To take off one's hat: The primary meaning of "ngả mũ" is the physical act of removing one's hat, traditionally as a gesture of respect, greeting, or deference.
- To tip one's hat: It can also describe the gesture of slightly lifting or touching the brim of one's hat as a sign of acknowledgement or polite salute.
Verb (figurative usage):
- To express admiration or respect: In modern usage, "ngả mũ" is commonly used figuratively to mean to show great respect, admiration, or concession to someone's superior skill, achievement, or character.
Usage Examples
Verb (literal):
- Khi gặp mặt, ông ấy lịch sự ngả mũ chào. (Upon meeting, he politely took off his hat to greet.)
- Người đàn ông ngả mũ trước đài tưởng niệm. (The man tipped his hat before the memorial.)
Verb (figurative):
- Tôi phải ngả mũ trước sự kiên trì của cô ấy. (I have to take my hat off to her perseverance.)
- Thành tích của anh ấy khiến mọi người đều ngả mũ. (His achievement makes everyone tip their hats.)
Advanced Usage
- The figurative use is now more common than the literal action in everyday language. It functions as a fixed expression to convey conceding that someone else is better or deserves recognition.
Variants and Related Words
- Cúi chào (v): to bow in greeting. This is a different but related gesture of respect.
- Bái phục (v): to admire or yield to someone's superiority, often with a sense of being defeated or convinced.
Synonyms
- To salute: to show respect, often with a formal gesture.
- To applaud: to show approval or praise, often by clapping.
- To commend: to formally praise or approve of.
Related Idioms
- Ngả mũ bái phục: This is an intensified form, meaning to express extreme admiration or to concede defeat with great respect.
- Tài năng của cậu ấy thật đáng để ngả mũ bái phục. (His talent is truly worthy of taking off one's hat in profound admiration.)