nhấm

Thân thiện

Con chuột nhấm từng miếng nhỏ của miếng phô mai.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To gnaw at / to nibble: To bite or chew something repeatedly with small, gentle bites, often slowly and persistently. This typically describes the action of small animals or insects, such as rodents or cockroaches, damaging objects.
   • To savor / to nibble on: To eat or taste something slowly and in small amounts, often to enjoy its flavor, like with a piece of candy or snack.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Gián nhấm bìa sách. (Cockroaches gnawed at the book cover.)
  • Con chuột nhấm dây điện. (The mouse gnawed at the electrical wire.)
  • Cô ấy nhấm một miếng cam thảo. (She nibbled on a piece of licorice.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "nhấm" often implies a slow, gradual, and sometimes destructive process when referring to animals. When referring to people, it conveys a sense of leisurely tasting.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhấm nháp (v): To sip or nibble slowly, often used for drinking alcohol or tasting food delicately.
  • Ông ấy nhấm nháp ly rượu. (He sipped his glass of wine slowly.)

Synonyms

• Gnaw: To bite or chew persistently (for animals).
• Nibble: To take small, gentle bites.
• Savor: To enjoy the taste or flavor of something slowly.

Related Idioms

• Nhấm nhẳng: (A reduplicative form) To complain or nag in a persistent, irritating manner.
  • Đừng nhấm nhẳng nữa! (Stop nagging!)

Học thuật

1. Gnaw at
   • Gián nhấm bìa sách
     A book cover gnawed at by cockroaches