Definition

1. Verb:
   • To press, to push down: The primary meaning of "nhấn" is to apply pressure on something, typically with a finger or hand, to activate or operate it.
   • To emphasize, to stress (in speech or writing): "Nhấn" is also used figuratively to mean giving special importance or force to a particular point, word, or idea. This is often seen in the compound phrase "nhấn mạnh" (to emphasize).
   • (Archaic/Alternative form) To immerse, to dip: In some older or specific contexts, "nhấn" can be a variant of "nhận" meaning to submerge something briefly in a liquid.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To press):
  • Nhấn nút để bật đèn. (Press the button to turn on the light.)
  • Cô ấy nhấn phím đàn piano rất nhẹ nhàng. (She presses the piano keys very gently.)
• Verb (To emphasize):
  • Giáo viên nhấn vào tầm quan trọng của bài tập này. (The teacher stressed the importance of this assignment.)
  • Khi nói, anh ấy thường nhấn giọng ở cuối câu. (When speaking, he often stresses his voice at the end of a sentence.)
• Verb (To immerse):
  • Nhấn chén vào nước trà cho nóng. (Dip the cup in tea water to warm it.) (This usage is less common.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhấn mạnh": to emphasize strongly, to underscore.
  • Tôi muốn nhấn mạnh rằng đây là quy định bắt buộc. (I want to emphasize that this is a mandatory rule.)
• "nhấn vào": to press on; to focus/zero in on (a point).
  • Bài báo nhấn vào những khó khăn của người lao động. (The article focuses on the difficulties of workers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhấn nhá (verb): to modulate (voice or tone), to use vocal inflection. Often used in singing or expressive speech.
  • Ca sĩ nhấn nhá từng câu hát rất tình cảm. (The singer modulates each line of the song very emotionally.)
• Ấn (verb): to press, to push. A close synonym, but "ấn" can imply a firmer, more sustained pressure (e.g., ấn chuông - to ring a bell by pressing).
• Nhận (verb): to receive; to admit/acknowledge. Homophone; not to be confused with the "immerse" meaning of "nhấn".

Synonyms

• Bấm (verb): to press, to click (often used for buttons, switches).
• Đè (verb): to press down, to hold down (can imply a heavier force).
• Nhấn mạnh: to stress, to highlight, to underscore.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Nhấn xuống: to press down.
  • Nhấn xuống cần gạt để khởi động máy. (Press the lever down to start the machine.)
• Nhấn lên: to press upward (less common).
  • Nhấn lên thanh điều khiển để mở cửa. (Press up on the control bar to open the door.)

Related Idioms

• Nhấn như nhấn hành: (Literally: to press as if pressing on a spring onion) An idiom describing a very light, gentle, and skillful touch, often in playing a musical instrument.
  • Ngón đàn của cô ấy nhẹ nhàng, nhấn như nhấn hành. (Her fingering is gentle, with a very light touch.)

1. Press, touch
   • Nhấn phím đàn
     To touch the keyboards of a musical instrument
   • như nhấn mạnh