Definition

1. Verb:

   • To soak; to steep: To immerse something in a liquid for an extended period, often to soften, preserve, flavor, or prepare it.
   • To declaim; to recite: To recite poetry or verse in a slow, melodious, and drawn-out manner, emphasizing the rhythm and tone.

2. Verb (extended usage):

   • To delay; to let something linger: To intentionally postpone or prolong a matter without resolving it.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to soak):
  • Ngâm đậu đen qua đêm trước khi nấu. (Soak black beans overnight before cooking.)
  • Ngâm chân trong nước ấm giúp thư giãn. (Soaking feet in warm water helps with relaxation.)
• Verb (to recite):
  • Ông cụ thích ngâm thơ Nguyễn Du. (The old man likes to recite Nguyen Du's poetry.)
• Verb (to delay):
  • Hồ sơ bị ngâm ở phòng hành chính cả tuần. (The documents were left lingering in the administration office for a whole week.)

Advanced Usage

• The act of reciting poetry, "ngâm thơ", is a traditional art form focusing on vocal modulation.
  • Cuộc thi ngâm thơ thu hút nhiều người yêu văn học. (The poetry recitation contest attracts many literature lovers.)
• "Ngâm nga" describes humming or softly reciting verses, often absentmindedly.
  • Anh ấy vừa đi vừa ngâm nga mấy câu thơ cũ. (He walked while softly humming some old verses.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngâm ngợi (v): To recite or hum thoughtfully and at length.
• Ngâm rượu (v): To steep or macerate (ingredients) in alcohol to make an infused liquor.
  • Ngâm sâm trong rượu. (To steep ginseng in wine.)
• Ngâm cứu (v): To study or ponder something deeply and meticulously (a Sino-Vietnamese compound, different meaning).

Synonyms

• To soak: Steep, immerse, macerate.
• To recite: Declaim, intone, chant.
• To delay: Procrastinate, stall, postpone.

Related Idioms

• Ngâm như hạc ngâm (Recites like a crane recites): A humorous or critical way to describe someone reciting poetry in an overly slow, drawn-out manner.
• Ngâm lên ngâm xuống: To keep delaying, to procrastinate repeatedly.
  • Dự án bị ngâm lên ngâm xuống mãi không triển khai. (The project was delayed up and down, never getting started.)

verb

1. to soak; to steep. to declaim; to recite
   • ngâm thơ
     to declaim verses